A 41-year-old man arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice following a suspected stabbing in Letchworth yesterday morning has been released under investigation.

The man was released yesterday afternoon while enquiries continue, with police working to trace a second person in connection with the incident in an alleyway off Glebe Road.

Six police cars and two ambulances were called to the scene at 7.40am yesterday after reports of a stabbing, with a passerby telling the Comet an armed response unit was also on scene.

An ambulance spokesman said a man in his 30s was taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage in a ‘life-threatening’ condition with suspected stab wounds, but he is now believed to be stable.

The alleyway between Glebe Road and Cromwell Green was taped off.

A police spokeswoman said yesterday: “Investigations are continuing, but it is believed to be an isolated incident between parties known to each other.

“A man has been arrested in connection with the incident and enquiries are continuing to trace a second man.”

Releasing suspects ‘under investigation’ is a new process that came into use under the Policing and Crime Act 2017 at the start of this month, meaning there is now a presumption in favour of release without bail unless preconditions of necessity are satisfied and a senior officer gives approval.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.