Two people were found dead in the street in Ilkeston Road just after 4am on Tuesday.

Officers were then called to Milton Street just over a mile away where a van had attempted to run over three people in what police believe is a connected incident. Those injured are currently being treated in hospital.

A third man was found dead in Magdala Road nearby.

Officers and other emergency services remain at several locations, including the Maid Marian Way junction of Upper Parliament Street.

Police have arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of murder and he remains in custody.

Officers likely looking into 'risk of further offences' - follow live updates

Lynn Haggitt, an eyewitness, told BBC News she was feeling "shaky" after describing what she saw near the Theatre Royal in Nottingham city centre this morning.

She described how a white van pulled up beside her at 5.30am on her way to work: "He looked in his mirror, saw a police car behind him, he then quickened up, there were two people, two in the corner, he went straight into these two people.

"The woman went on the kerb, the man went up in the air, there was such a bang, I wish I never saw it, it's really shaken me up.

"I went over, perhaps I shouldn't have gone over but I wanted to see if I could help.

"He (the van driver) backed up after he hit... and drove up Parliament Street.

"The woman was sitting up on the kerb, she looked OK. The man was laying down, but then he got up, sat on the side waiting for an ambulance.

"I can't believe he was able to get up after the head wound".

Chief Constable Kate Meynell said police believe the incidents across Nottingham were linked.

"This is an horrific and tragic incident which has claimed the lives of three people," she said.

"This investigation is at its early stages and a team of detectives is working to establish exactly what has happened.

"We ask the public to be patient while inquiries continue. At this time, a number of roads in the city will remain closed as this investigation progresses."

The Nottingham Express Transit (NET) tram network also said it has suspended all services due to "major police incidents around the city and suburbs".

Other roads cordoned off include Ilkeston Road, Milton Street, Maples Street, and Woodborough Road, from the junction with Magdala Road into the city.

National Inter-Agency Liaison Officers, which co-ordinate the response from police, ambulance and fire services, were also on the scene.

An earlier statement from the police said: "There are multiple road closures in place throughout the city while the incident is being investigated.

"We are asking the public and motorists to please avoid the following areas and plan alternate routes."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has tweeted: "I want to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response to the shocking incident in Nottingham this morning.

"I am being kept updated on developments. The police must be given the time to undertake their work.

"My thoughts are with those injured, and the family and loved ones of those who have lost their lives."

Home Secretary Suella Braverman tweeted to say she is "shocked and saddened" by the tragedy and has spoken to the chief of Nottinghamshire Police.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his thoughts were with the family and friends of those who had died and were injured in Nottingham.

He tweeted: "Awful news from Nottingham this morning.

"My thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives, those injured, and the people of Nottingham.

"Thank you to the police and the emergency services as they respond to this terrible incident."

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What police will be doing right now after van attack

Former Metropolitan Police officer Simon Harding told Sky News officers would be looking at "the risk of further offences".

He said: "There will be an enormous amount of work going on in the background... there will be officers linking in from other organisations such as counter-terrorism to understand if this is in any way linked to that.

"The main thing you want to do is get to the suspect's house, understand his associates, understand if there is any other risk associated with him and his actions today."

Sky News' crime correspondent Martin Brunt said police will be keeping an open mind in their investigations.

He said: "People might be ready to jump to conclusions - that's the last thing that the police will do. And to some, this will have some of the hallmarks of a terror attack - but the key to this of course, is the suspect. Police have already said this is a 31-year-old man.

"Initially, at least, his motivation and his sense of ideology will be at the forefront of his interrogators' minds. They will be poring over everything about him - his mobile phone, his background, his home - if they've got to his home already - his friends and contacts. They'll be exploring all that in huge detail."

Twitter user Robbie Paul-Stone wrote someone was "being treated on the side of the road" earlier this morning.

"I didn't see any cars. It's also closed by Theatre Royal but couldn't see anything (that was about 7.15am)," he wrote.