Eight people including children have been wounded by a knifeman during a stabbing spree in Southport this morning.
Armed police officers detained a man and seized a knife after the attack that left multiple people wounded in Southport, Merseyside.
Officers urged people to avoid the area around Hart Street but said there was ‘no wider threat’ to the public.
A local business owner, who was one of the people who called the police, said the incident in Southport was like a ‘scene in a horror movie.’
Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, said he believed six or seven ‘young girls’ had been stabbed.
He said: ‘The mothers are coming here now and screaming. It is like a scene from a horror movie.’
Multiple people ‘including children’ have been stabbed after a man went on a knifing spree this morning
Officers urged people to avoid the area around Hart Street but said there was ‘no wider threat’ to the public
A major incident has been declared after a stabbing involving a ‘number of casualties’
‘Police have got him. It’s like something from America, not like sunny Southport.’
A staff member at The Bridge Cafe on Hart Street told : ‘We were told somebody’s been stabbing children.
‘It’s chocka. It’s all cordoned off, police cars at every junction. Parents are stood outside waiting.’
An air ambulance was seen in a nearby car park and people in the area said local Whatsapp groups told neighbors to ‘lock your windows and doors’, the Liverpool Echo reported.
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) sent 13 ambulances, specialised resources of its Hazardous Area Response Team, Air Ambulance and Merit Doctors to the scene.
It said: ‘So far, NWAS has treated eight patients with stab injuries who have been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.’
Merseyside’s Police & Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: ‘I am deeply shocked and concerned about the major incident in Southport this morning.
‘An arrest has been made. I would urge people to be careful about what they share online and not to speculate about this incident.’
Merseyside Police said: ‘We can confirm that emergency services are in Southport following a major incident this morning, Monday, July 29.
‘At around 11.50am, we were called to a property on Hart Street to reports of a stabbing.
Armed police officers detained a man and seized a knife after the attack that left multiple people wounded in Southport, Merseyside
An air ambulance was seen in a nearby car park
Emergency services rushed to the scene after reports of a stabbing spree
‘There are a number of reported casualties and more details will be confirmed when possible.
‘Armed police have detained a male and seized a knife. He has been taken to a police station.
‘Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no wider threat to the public.’
North West Ambulance Service said: ‘We’re attending a major incident on Hart Street, Southport following reports of multiple stabbings in which we have dispatched multiple resources.
‘We’re assessing the situation and working with emergency partners.’
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.