‘Blood all over the place’ after man hit in head in Bootle ‘axe assault’ as police hunt suspects
Witnesses described ‘lots of blood’ after a man was ‘hit in the head with an axe’ at Bootle Strand shopping centre, Liverpool – a huge area has been cordoned off
Bootle Strand cordoned off(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Witnesses reported seeing “blood everywhere” after a man was allegedly “hit in the head with an axe.”. A substantial police cordon is currently set up at Bootle Strand shopping centre in Liverpool, with Merseyside Police sealing off large sections of the centre on Stanley Road.
Several shops and restaurants are within the cordoned area. A McDonald’s staff member told the Echo: “We saw it all. A person was hit in the head with an axe. There was lots of blood.
“Paramedics came and bandaged his head up. It happened around an hour ago, we don’t know who it was but there’s always people sitting on that bench.”
Forensic officers have been spotted photographing the bench and the blood-stained floor near a Burger King, which appears to be the focus of the investigation.
They have also removed a bag and coat from the bench. A shop worker nearby told the Liverpool Echo: “I was working and the fella came in and there was blood everywhere, he looked like he’d been hit in the side of his face with an axe.
“The police believe it has happened further down Stanley Road. The victim then walked down to the Strand because they always sit on that bench near Burger King and that’s where the ambulance came to.”
Merseyside Police said: “We can confirm that emergency services are in Bootle following an assault tonight, Thursday 22 January.
“At around 5.45pm, officers were called to Stanley Road following reports of a man being assaulted, and sustaining lacerations to his head and face, caused by a bladed weapon. The victim has been taken to hospital for assessment and enquiries are ongoing to trace the offenders.”
House-to-house, forensic and CCTV work is taking place tonight in the area and we would ask anyone with information to come forward. “Detective Inspector Sara Lang said: “These are the early stages of our investigation and it is paramount that we speak to anyone who saw or has since heard anything about this assault as we look to establish the circumstances and find those responsible.
“A large cordon will be in place close to the bingo hall on Stanley Road, where we believe that the assault happened. Avoid the area where possible while we carry out this work.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact @MerPolCC on X or Facebook, or 101, with reference 720. You can also come forward anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
