3 knifed at 02

THREE people were stabbed and guns allegedly fired as a star-studded music bash at London's O2 arena erupted in violence last night.

Guests at the 6th Annual Urban Music Awards fled in terror as the fighting broke out-one woman was left covered in blood from a knife victim.

Others said guns had been brandished and there were reports of shots. One of the stab victims had serious injuries, but the other two escaped with minor cuts. All three were treated by ambulance crews at the arena and taken to hospital

Ironically one of the organisations due to present an award, Intensify Youth, aims to combat knife crime.

Other guests at the bash slammed the lack of security at the event-in the arena's Indigo Room-as people were allowed in without being searched.

Natalie Williams, 32, said: "If you go into a club you get scanned, but there was no security at all on the way into the O2." But boxing fans in the 5,000-strong crowd watching the heavyweight fight between London David Haye and New Yorker Monte Barrett in the main arena next door had been searched.

Police cordoned off the stabbing scene and questioned guests. Andre Nevling, 24, said a woman sitting at his table was "covered" in blood.

"Obviously the guy who got stabbed must have run straight past her and she's pretty shaken up. I saw blood all over the floor and then I saw she was covered in it," he said.

Emma Fairclough, 33, said: "I have spoken to two people who said they have seen guns in the arena this evening." Others said they had been told guns were fired.

Estelle, Adele, Leona Lewis, Dizzee Rascal and Duffy were among the performers nominated for awards, Bobby Davro, Charlotte Mears and Bianca Gascoigne were among the guests.

One man was arrested following the incidents.

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