'Number of people' injured in Anfield machete attack
A man has been arrested
Police say 'a number' of people have been injured in a machete attack in Liverpool.
It happened in Anfield yesterday evening (Thursday 11 August).
Merseyside Police were called at 5.35pm to Arkles Lane to a report of a man walking towards the junction with Priory Road and onto Ince Avenue, shouting at people and carrying a machete.
Officers say 'a number' of people were slashed, and that the victims were taken to hospital for treatment. None of them are believed to have sustained life-threatening injuries.
The suspect, a man from Anfield, was detained a short time later in Stanley Park, he was arrested and taken into custody.
A number of cordons have been put in place for Crime Scene Investigators to carry out forensic examinations. Officers are also making house-to-house enquiries and CCTV in the area is being examined.
Merseyside Police say although the investigation is at a very early stage, the incident is not believed to be terror-related and the suspect is thought to have mental health issues.
Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cummings said: “This incident will have been frightening for those assaulted as well as those who witnessed it, and we will provide them with our full support.
“I understand that the circumstances will be frightening too for the wider community in Anfield.
“Thankfully, specialist officers attended swiftly, arrested a suspect and brought an end to the incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
“While we do not believe anyone else was responsible, extra officers will be deployed on high visibility patrols in the Anfield area in the coming days to reassure the community.”
Det Chief Insp Cummings added: “Incidents such as this illustrate all too clearly the dangers knives and bladed weapons can pose.
“That is why we carry out operations all year round to take them off our streets, with warrants, land searches and stop checks enabling us to seize such weapons and take them out of the hands of criminals.
“No-one should fall victim to knife crime, and we welcome any information from the public on where they are being stored and who is carrying them so that we can protect the communities of Merseyside.
“I would urge anyone thinking about carrying a knife to think again, and spare yourself and others the risk of serious injury, and save yourself time in police custody.”
“I would urge anyone who witnessed any part of this incident, or has camera phone, CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact police.”
If you can help, DM @MerPolCC, or message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook quoting reference 22000587067. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or their online form at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.