'Traumatised' teenager stabbed in 'appalling' attempted robbery

A teenage boy was taken to hospital after he was stabbed in the arm during an attempted robbery.

Merseyside Police confirmed officers were called to Bird Street, close to Smithdown Road, at around 7am today, Monday, May 20 following reports of a 16-year-old boy being stabbed. He was taken to hospital with a stab wound to his arm which is currently being assessed.

A spokesperson for the force said extensive CCTV, forensic and door-to-door enquiries are ongoing in the area - and detectives are appealing for information following the assault and attempted robbery.

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Detective Inspector Michael Fletcher said: "Our enquiries are in the early stages but we initially think that this was an attempted robbery. We understand the concern that such incidents cause in our communities, and we will do everything in our power to find those responsible and put them before the courts. For a young teenager, this is appalling and will have been an extremely traumatic experience.

"Carrying knives can have fatal consequences and it is through luck alone the victim isn't more seriously hurt. If you live locally or were passing by on foot or in a vehicle, please check any devices, particularly at around 6.50am. Anyone who saw the incident or anyone making off on foot or on a pedal bike, may have vital information to assist.

"Through partnership work, patrols, warrants, stop searches and land searches, we are committed to preventing the devastation that knife crime causes, and in the last year we have seen knife crime in Merseyside reduce by 18.6%. Last week was a week of action as part of Sceptre, the national knife crime awareness campaign, and we want to keep highlighting the harm that carrying weapons causes, so that the number of people affected continues to drop."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact @MerPolCC, call 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, with reference 24000455188.

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