Next, Henderson is asked about social media posts calling for protests in Belfast.

He says he is aware of the posts and he understands people will want to have their voice heard.

Henderson says Northern Ireland police are very experienced in managing peaceful protests and they are not advising premises to close and he expects people will be able to go about their lives.

Giving more details on the suspect who is in custody, Henderson adds that the initial belief was the male was Somali but police now believe him to be Sudanese.

He does not want to "deflect" on immigration status as the Home Office will give "further clarity" however it is his "understanding is that the individual came into Northern Ireland from Dublin" and then was "granted leave to remain".

He adds that colleagues from the Home Office will be "confirming that in more detail in due course".

Now, the PSNI's Ryan Henderson is discussing the police's response to the attack, saying officers were on the scene in north Belfast quickly.

He says over the course of the coming hours they will learn more about the motivation for the attack, adding that the PSNI's understanding is the suspect lived close by.

The PSNI assistant chief constable says he's aware of speculation about the suspect's immigration status.

He says that after discussing it with the Home Office, he understands the suspect was given leave to remain in Northern Ireland, but the Home Office will be confirming the exact details in the coming days.

Henderson says the police are aware of calls for protests and they are monitoring the situation.

He says officers have role to accommodate peaceful protests, but he appealed for calm.

He adds no one wants to see disorder as young people often get caught up in it.

Henderson adds that the public will be looking for answers.

He says that teams are "committed" to provide "clear, factual and accurate information" and will continue to provide updates today and tomorrow.

ACC Henderson says he understand there is "considerable" posting on social media and people have "real concerns".

However, he asks the public "to be very mindful of what they share online".

He says the sharing of footage could increase the risk of further trauma for the injured man's "loved ones".

ACC Henderson says the victim was taken to hospital with significant injuries to his eyes and serious slash wound injuries to his back and face.

The suspect, who is believed to be Sudanese, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder at the scene.

Police are not looking for anyone else at present in connection with the attack.

ACC Henderson says the "brutal attack has sent shockwaves through our communities" and he wants to reassure them that their safety is the police's priority.

He says the public can expect to see an increased police presence across Northern Ireland this evening and the coming days, to help support and keep communities safe.

ACC Henderson says he understands there will be questions "regarding the nature of the attack".

He adds that after liaising with counter-terrorism partners there is no information that this was a "terrorist-related incident".

ACC Henderson says it is important to acknowledge at the very outset the "bravery of those members of the public who ran towards danger to intervene and help the injured man".

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson starts the press conference by saying his and the PSNI's thoughts are with the victim and his family.

He says detectives and specialist officers are supporting them at this difficult time.

The police's news conference has begun - you can watch live by hitting the play button at the top of this page and we'll have live updates here.

We're expecting the police news conference to begin at any moment - when it does we'll let you know and you'll be able to watch it live at the top of this page.

Image source, Social media

While we wait to hear from the police news conference, we'll bring you further reaction to last night's knife attack in Belfast.

Earlier this morning, a senior figure from the Belfast Islamic Centre said he condemned the attack in "the strongest way" and that he would "encourage everybody to talk to the police if they have any information whatsoever".

Dr Raied Al-Wazzan told The Nolan Show that video footage of the attack, widely circulating on social media, made him feel "really sick".

"It’s like something you see in the movies."

He said everyone should stay calm until the police conduct their investigation, and to refrain from watching the "horrific" video footage if seen online.

"Whatever the nationality the ethnicity of the perpetrator it has nothing to do with the crime.

"Whatever crime he has done, the law should apply."

Since his comments, the police have said the suspect is believed to be Sudanese, not Somali as per an earlier police press statement.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) news conference has been delayed until 14:00 BST, but we should be live with that in about five minutes.

You can watch live by hitting the play button at the top of the page when it begins.

Just a little while earlier, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn was answering questions in the House of Commons about the attack.

It comes after a man, believed to be Sudanese, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder over a "brutal" knife attack in Belfast.

A man is in a serious condition in hospital.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson said the attack was "medieval" and echoed Hilary Benn's concerns about "community cohesion".

He said "uncontrolled immigration needs to end" and the alleged perpetrator should be deported.

Several MPs asked Benn about the immigration status of the man in custody and whether he came into the country legally. Benn said a "proper procedure" about release of information must be followed and he would update the House when he can do so.

In response to a question from DUP MP Jim Shannon about "inflamed" tensions, Benn said "the last thing people should be doing" is overstretching the PSNI's resources with protests.

Now, after the questions in Westminster, we're due to hear from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) shortly in a news conference.

That should happen in the next 10 to 15 minutes or so, we'll have updates here and you can watch live at the top of the page.

DUP MP Gregory Campbell then calls for the government to restrict and prohibit people arriving in this country illegally.

Hilary Benn responds that he's made it "clear to the house the steps we can take" if anyone who enters the country commits a crime.

"They will face due process and any foreign national who commits crimes can expect to be deported," he says.

That brought to an end the Commons discussion on the Belfast attack.

Hilary Benn says he was "surprised" when a Ulster Unionist MP expressed concern that the people who came to the aid of the Belfast victim could be at risk of prosecution.

"They were trying to save him... judging by the footage, when the attacker was trying to inflict great harm upon him," Benn told the House of Commons.

"My judgement, having looked at that it, is what they did was proportionate and fair - but that is for others to judge."

Benn adds that it was important that they people who intervened in the attack were "recognised" for their actions, as he had already done.