A teenager was stabbed in a church graveyard.
Police confirmed that a 16-year-old boy suffered serious injuries in the stabbing. He is now in a serious but stable condition in hospital.
The attack, believed to have been a 'stabbing and robbery', took place at around 4.55pm on Tuesday, March 8, at a cemetery on School Lane, Formby.
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Our Lady of Compassion Formby Parish where the attack took place has confirmed it will remain closed today as police carry out their investigation.
A spokesperson for the church said that they are keeping the victim in their prayers.
Posting to the Church's Facebook page, a spokesperson said: "We were very sad to hear there has been a police incident, believed to be a stabbing and robbery, in Our Lady's Church Graveyard earlier this evening. The victim has been taken to hospital.
"The Police have requested that the area around the church be kept clear so that the forensic team can carry out their work in daylight tomorrow.
"As a result services in the church on Wednesday 9th March have been cancelled - there will be no Mass or Morning Prayer.
"St Jerome's Church will be open for private prayer from 9am to 12noon.
"Please keep the victim in your prayers as indeed we are doing too."
One man who lives close to School Lane said the first he knew about the incident was when the air ambulance started flying over the scene.
He said: “I was out the back and saw the helicopter above. My daughter came in and said they had blocked off the road.”
After hearing police had confirmed a person was stabbed, he added: “You always worry about things like this happening anyway, but I don’t think it’s too concerning as it’s very rare something like this will happen.”
Police have now launched a full investigation and are encouraging anybody with CCTV or dashcam footage to get in touch.
Chief Inspector Simon Owen said: "Enquiries are in the very early stages to establish what has taken place.
"I would appeal to anyone who was vicinity of the cemetery on School Lane just before 5pm to please contact us.
"I want to also ask people who were in the area but may not have seen anything to please check your dashcam footage and any CCTV that could have they captured something which may be vital to the case."
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 673 of March 8.
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