The six young people arrested on suspicion of attempted murder knew the 13-year-old girl they claimed to have stabbed.

The girl was reportedly attacked at around 6.50am on Friday before she was discovered alongside the A63 in Hessle, Yorkshire.

Officers found the girl had suffered ‘life-threatening injuries’, including cuts to her neck, abdomen, chest and back, after she was found on a roadside near Hull.

Six teenagers, including four boys aged 14, 15, 16 and 17, and two girls aged 14 and 15, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after they were found in a nearby wooded area.

Police confirmed that the suspects knew the girl and all six were in custody.

The girl was reportedly stabbed before she was found alongside the A63 on Friday morning.

Police are investigating the area between Hessle and North Ferriby after the girl was found

Humberside Police said the girl was taken to hospital for treatment and remains in a critical condition.

Detective Constable Simon Vickers, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘Over the last 24 hours my team have been carrying out extensive investigations to establish exactly why this incident occurred and to understand the circumstances leading up to the attack. A 13-year-old girl who is in critical but stable condition in the hospital.

‘As part of yesterday’s investigations, a large crime scene security guard was deployed around woodland on Ferriby High Road, as well as an area on the A63, Hessle, where the young girl was assisted by members of the public. These cordons have now been removed.

‘I can confirm that the attackers are aware that the 13-year-old girl and six other teenagers are currently in custody and being questioned by detectives.

‘Officers will remain in and around the area today and throughout the weekend should anyone wish to speak to them about their concerns.

‘I would like to thank once again the citizens who came to the aid of the girls and everyone who has called and given us information so far.

‘If you have any information that may assist officers, or have dashcam or CCTV footage from the time of the incident and have not yet been contacted, please contact us on our non-emergency number 101, quoting log 82/1. November.’