Armed police have detained a man and seized a knife after number of people were injured in “multiple stabbings” near Liverpool. Emergency services were called to the “major incident” at a property on Hart Street, Southport at about 11.50am on Monday.
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said there had been “reports of multiple stabbings”.
A helicopter is circling the area, reports the Liverpool Echo, with a large police cordon set up at the scene.
READ MORE: London stabbing spree marks bloody weekend of tragedy as 6 people knifed and 3 die
A nearby resident told the local newspaper: “It was about 20 past 12 I think and we heard loads of sirens and then there was a helicopter circling above.
“Then the messages started to go around the local WhatsApp groups, saying ‘lock your windows, lock your doors’, we were told a man was running around stabbing people.
“We are all absolutely terrified, panicking and sick with worry – everyone is trying to reach anyone they know in the area. I don’t know how this can happen on a Monday lunchtime.”
The woman said she ran down the street telling her neighbours to lock their doors and windows and that one of her neighbours had ‘barricaded’ herself and her kids in their bedroom.
Merseyside Police said: “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.”
The ambulance service said it had dispatched multiple resources to the scene. It said: “We’re assessing the situation and working with emergency partners.”
