A number of people have received serious slash injuries after a man attacked them with a machete. The man has now been detained and the incident is not thought to be terror related.
Police were called just after 5.30pm today (August 11) to the Anfield area of Liverpool to reports of a man shouting at people and carrying a machete. He then attacked a number of people, causing slash wounds to them.
The victims were taken to hospital where they have received treatment. None of the victims are thought to have sustained life threatening injuries.
Shortly after this the suspect was arrested nearby and a number of cordons were put in place. The man, from Anfield, is currently being questioned in custody.
Forensic investigations are now taking place with officers making house-to-house enquiries and checking CCTV. While the police's investigation is at an early stage, the incident is not believed to be terror related and it is instead thought the suspect has 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.”
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