BLOOD covers the entrance of a hospital placed on lockdown by police after a suspected targeted attack left a man with serious injuries.

Huddersfield BMI Healthcare, in West Yorks., has declared an 'ongoing major incident' and told patients to stay away after the violent assault in the early hours of this morning.

Armed police were called to the hospital after reports of gunshots and someone screaming "he's got a gun" just after midnight.

A man was rushed to hospital with multiple injuries - with a patient at the hospital saying he was banging on the door as he was slashed or stabbed.

Blood can be seen on the main entrance doors, wall and pavement outside, hours after a resident claimed they heard two cars crash before gunshots.

Police told The Sun Online they have found no evidence of a gun being used but a large cordon remains in place at the private hospital in Birkby.

A woman, who did not want to be named, told the Huddersfield Examiner: “[It] started at around 11.55 last night. Two cars crashed.

"One man got shot and [was] screaming ‘they have a gun and they want to kill me’. He was screaming for help. Awful."

Speaking at the scene today, a man who gave his name only as Mark, said: "My wife was in hospital at the time.

"She heard a guy screaming please help. He was getting either stabbed or slashed.

"She heard some kind of noises which sounded like gunshots.

"Then she heard police come and shout armed police. She then said there were police everywhere.

"She was in a room above the foyer. She heard banging on the door but could not get out of bed because she had had an operation."

It's understood the hospital doors are locked after visiting hours and in-patients often stay overnight.

The victim is still in hospital being treated for non-life threatening injuries to his hand - no BMI Healthcare patients or hospital staff were involved.

Another Birkby resident said he heard shotgun sounds last night, although this appears to have been hours before police were called.

He said: “We were sat out in the garden around 7.15[pm] and there was two or three shots which were different to any fireworks I’ve ever seen.”

Detective Inspector Mark Atkinson, of Kirklees District CID, said: “Our enquiries are in their early stages but it appears that this was a targeted attack. Neighbourhood officers will be carrying out reassurance patrols in the area.

“We would like to hear from anyone with information about the circumstances of what has happened or those involved.”

A message on the hospital's main phoneline said this morning: "Due to a major incident, the Huddersfield BMI Hospital will be closed until 7am on Thursday August 23.

"If you have an urgent clinical query, please call our switchboard on 07824450975.”

A Huddersfield Hospital spokeswoman added: "Given the police investigation, we took the decision in the early hours to close today, and have been in contact with patients who were due to attend to rearrange appointments.

"The events took place outside the hospital and did not involve our patients or staff, however we support the police’s appeal for information and extend our thoughts to all affected by the incident."

One witness said the area was “crawling with police” when she went past at 7.30 this morning.

Patients reported they were contacted in the early hours and told to not come in.

One said: “They rang at about 8am saying police had closed the hospital due to something going on. They wouldn’t say what.

“I was due to be in for 9am so it’s all very last minute. It’s not been re-arranged - they just said they’d be in touch.”

A spokesman for Huddersfield Hospital said earlier today: “We can confirm that the hospital is temporarily closed while the police investigate an incident which took place outside the hospital.

"We hope to reopen again tomorrow and have been in touch with patients who were due to attend.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Kirklees District CID via 101, quoting crime reference 13180417259. Information can also be given via the 101 Live Chat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website.