A man was stabbed in the back in Huddersfield town centre last night during an attempted robbery.

The attack happened at around 11.30pm in Cloth Hall Street when the robber approached the 55-year-old victim as he was walking towards a taxi rank.

The mugger shouted at him: “What are you looking at? Give me all your money?”

The victim ignored the demands and continued walking but then felt a sharp pain in his back and thought the man had punched him.

He reached round, felt his back and his hand was covered in blood.

He walked into the nearby McDonald’s restaurant as the nearest place to raise help. Staff alerted both the police and ambulance.

Officers were on the scene within minutes and the stabbed man was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

He has suffered a puncture wound to his back and remains in hospital.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested and will be interviewed by detectives today.

Det Insp Ian Thornes. who is leading the investigation by Kirklees CID, said: “A man was walking towards McDonald’s to the nearby taxi rank after having a drink in the town centre when he was approached by a man who demanded cash.

“He ignored the demands and continued walking but felt a sharp pain in back and realised his back was wet and he was bleeding.

“Police were on the scene in minutes and a search of the area was carried out.

“We used all resources available to trace the suspect, including town centre CCTV, and a man was subsequently arrested and remains in custody.”

Det Insp Thornes said the victim was yet to be interviewed about the attack.

He added: “We know there are likely to have been a number of people in the vicinity where this incident happened. It was 11.30pm and drinkers may have been heading home or leaving bars.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who may have been approached prior to this incident.

“I would like to reassure the public that incidents of this nature are extremely rare for Huddersfield.”.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.

In unrelated investigations, police would like to speak to the people pictured in the image gallery below. The people pictured in the images may be witnesses as well as suspects. If you recognise anyone, contact police on 101 quoting the reference number on the image caption.