KNIFE-wielding thugs are being hunted after three men were stabbed and streets were turned into war zones.

Police have issued an appeal for help in tracing the attackers who targeted three men in a van on Sunday June 5.

Three men, aged 47, 45 and 28, were sitting in a Ford Transit Van on Frankfield Road in Stepps, around 1.30pm when a stolen van was driven at them.

The van had been pinched the day before from Ruchazie.

Three thugs leapt from the stolen van and started to the chase the men in the other vehicle, stabbing them in broad daylight in the street.

Both vans were set alight, turning the street into a 'warzone' according to locals.

The attack is thought to have been gang-related according to police sources.

Detective Inspector David Reilly of Coatbridge CID has described the incident as "outrageous" and has now appealed for help in tracing the three violent thugs.

They are thought to have escaped the scene in get away cars - a black 4x4 and a white saloon car.

The suspects are all described as white, with the first around 6ft tall wearing a black hooded top with the hood up.

The second man had blond hair, dark coloured troupers and a dark hooded top, while the third man was around 5ft 4in tall, slim, wearing a dark hooded top, and dark baseball cap.

Detective Inspector Reilly said: "This was very much a targeted attack – the suspects in the stolen van knew exactly who they were going for.

"For this to happen at all, never mind in the middle of a Sunday afternoon, is just outrageous.

"Yes, the suspects may have known who they were targeting but there could easily have been other people, including children, in the area – especially with the weather being so nice.

"No one other than the three intended targets were injured.

"They were all taken by ambulance to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary where the 47 and 28 year old man were treated and have since been released.

"The 45 year old man remains in hospital where staff describe his condition as stable.

"Our enquiries are continuing in the area to identify those responsible for the attack.

"We believe that they made off from the area into two waiting cars – a black 4x4 and a white saloon car.

"Considering this is a residential area, it’s understandable that locals found the incident alarming. We have additional officers patrolling the area and I would ask that anyone who has any concerns or who saw the attack speak to them.

"So far the response from local people has been good but I am still appealing to anyone with information about the attack, the stolen vehicle or any information that will help us catch these men to contact police.

"If for whatever reason you are reluctant to speak to police, then please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.

"We have an Incident Room set up in Coatbridge Office where information can be passed via 101."