Murder investigation launched in Knowsley

Merseyside Police have launched a murder investigation in Knowsley after a man was fatally attacked in the early hours of Saturday morning.

They say a 29-year-old man was walking along a pedestrianised area in Market Place, Prescot at 0.40am with three friends when he was involved in an argument with a number of people on a motorbike.

He was then stabbed in the neck with an unknown weapon causing him to fall to the ground. His friends and a number of passers-by went to his aid and called 999 and the offender or offenders rode off in the direction of Tesco supermarket.

Armed officers and paramedics attended the scene and performed First Aid before taking him to Whiston Hospital for emergency surgery, but he was pronounced dead shortly after 2am.

Detectives from the force’s major crime unit have launched a murder investigation and are making extensive enquiries to identify and trace the people on the motorbike who are believed to be responsible.

Forensic work is being carried out at the scene in Market Place whilst detectives examine CCTV from the surrounding areas and speak to witnesses.

Chief Inspector Nick Gunatilleke appealed for anyone with information to come forward. He said: “This was a horrific and senseless attack on a young man who had been walking home from a night out in a local pub with his friends. He has become involved in some sort of argument with the rider or riders of a motorbike which was on a pedestrianised area of Market Place.

"Tragically, during this dispute the victim has been stabbed once resulting in catastrophic injuries. Police officers, paramedics and by-standers have done everything they could to save his life and he was rushed to hospital but sadly he has passed away despite the efforts of medics.

"His family have been informed and are understandably devastated and we are providing whatever support we can to them at this awful time.

“We have now launched a major investigation involving specialist officers and staff around the force to do everything in our power to catch the person or people responsible.

"We will not stop until we catch them and I am calling on the public to help us bring this man’s killer or killers to justice.

"I need to hear from anyone who can help us identify the people on board a large, green, scrambler-style motorbike that was seen in the Prescot area at the time of this incident.

“Can you tell us where this vehicle was being ridden earlier in the evening? Can you tell us where it went to after the murder? Can you tell us where a bike like this may be now and who it belongs to? If you know anything at all that could help us in this murder investigation, please do the right thing and come forward."

Information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Chief Inspector Nick Gunatilleke added: “The people responsible for this need to know that we will not stop until we have caught them. They should search their consequences and think about what they have done and hand themselves in now as we will catch them in the end.”