WATCH: UK prime minister calls for calm after Belfast migrant 'beheading' attempt

CALGARY — UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for calm across the United Kingdom following a beheading attempt in North Belfast left a man with life-threatening injuries.A man who is yet to be identified was left serious injuries to his face, neck and back after being attacked in the middle of the road Monday night. The attacker, who is identified as a Sudanese migrant, was arrested in suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody.The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have launched an attempted murder investigation and described the incident as a critical case due to its seriousness and the level of public concern generated by the footage."I want to especially acknowledge the courage of those members of the public who ran towards danger to intervene and help the injured man and the PSNI officers who arrived so quickly to arrest the offender," Jon Boutcher, the chief constable of the PSNI, said."I have absolutely no doubt that those members of the public saved that man’s life."."This is a deeply concerning assault and I have declared this a critical incident. We have commenced an investigation to establish a motive," PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said.Starmer's office has also urged the public not to inflame tensions or spread misinformation while the police investigate the motive behind the attack."The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening." Starmer stated, "I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets."He went on to say his thoughts were with the victim and thanked first responders and members of the public who intervened during the attack.."It’s my understanding that the suspect was granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom on the 28 of September of 2023," said Boutcher, the chief constable of the PSNI."Again, this is to be confirmed, but I’m informed that he made his way from Sudan to Paris at dates unknown, and from Paris he flew to Dublin at a date yet to be determined.""From my current understanding, he then travelled from Dublin to Belfast by bus on the 10 of February of 2023 and claimed asylum on that date.""There is no trace of this suspect on any of our national security databases, and he was not known to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.""I’ve been in direct contact with the head of terrorism policing in the UK. At this stage we have no information to suggest that this was terrorist related."

WATCH: UK prime minister calls for calm after Belfast migrant 'beheading' attempt

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