A bustling night-life street was closed for more than an hour as police investigated reports of a double stabbing in a squat.

Middle Street in Brighton, which is home to a number of bars and restaurants, was cordoned off by police at 5.15pm tonight after reports of men stumbling through the street with blood on them.

Eye-witnesses said they believe the men were injured during an altercation in the vacant karaoke bar Nine Rooms which squatters had taken over in recent days.

Sussex Police said two men received non “life-threatening” slash-type injuries and that two men had been arrested on suspicion of assault.

Bar and restaurant staff were told to stay inside after the violent incident in the squat spilled out into the street.

The bottom half of the road nearest the junction with Kings Road only reopened after 6.30pm as police officers returned calm to the area.

The karaoke site closed in January this year after more than three years in the city after the bosses’ owners decided they could not compete with nearby rival Lucky Voice.

A staff member at a restaurant said that police dogs and police dressed in riot gear had been seen in the street.

One eye witness said: "It seems like all the drama happened inside the squat.

"We heard a lot of shouting in the street and then somebody came out covered in blood but I think most of it happened in the squat.

"The police have now gone in and closed it all down."

A second eye witness said: “We heard a disturbance in what was Nine Rooms, there was lots of shouting and arguing and then some people covered in blood came out into the street.

“There was at least a couple, maybe three, with blood on their arms and faces.

“They needed medical attention but I don’t think they were really badly hurt.

“We were told to stay indoors by police as this was going on.” 

Detective Sergeant Graham Lewendon said: “It appears that two people have suffered slash type wounds shortly after 5pm after a man entered the squat.

“They are being treated by paramedics but don’t appear to have life threatening injuries.

“Two men have been arrested on suspicion of assault and we are still speaking to them to confirm what exactly happened.”

Anyone with information is asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting 1147 of 29/9.