The scene in Great Victoria Street where area is cordoned by police at Grand Opera House

A MAN is seriously ill in hospital after a “violent” incident in Belfast’s ‘Golden Mile’ part of the city centre.

The scene around where the attack took place in the early hours of this morning remains cordoned by police for a fingertip search by crime scene investigators.

The PSNI say officers were called to Great Victoria Street shortly before 5 am this morning after a report that a man had become violent.

One man was taken to hospital for treatment and is in a serious condition.

A defibrillator has been left at the scene beside the Grand Opera House.

A police cordon remains in place close to the building and the Europa Bus Centre.

Citybound lanes of the street are shut while the investigation continues.

Detectives from Musgrave PSNI are studying CCTV footage of the scene for clues to the attacker.