Appeal after stabbing at pub in Old Swan

We are appealing for information after a stabbing at a pub in Old Swan on Friday night (26 January).

Officers were called just after 10.50pm to the Old Stanley Arms on Prescot Road where it had been reported a man had been assaulted inside.

Patrols who attended found a man in his 20s with several stab wounds and he was taken to hospital for treatment where his condition is described as stable.

It was further reported he had been stabbed by a man who entered the pub moments before dressed in black with his face covered, and left immediately after the incident.

The victim has declined to assist police with their enquires and detectives are treating it as a targeted incident.

An investigation is underway to establish the circumstances and a scene has been established at the pub while forensic examination of the scene continues.

Officers have conducted house to house enquiries and CCTV opportunities in the area are being explored.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Dalton said: “It is despicable to think anyone would enter a pub on a busy Friday night and carry out such a nasty assault.

“This would have been a frightening experience for everyone in the pub at the time, let alone the victim.

“We are carrying out extensive enquiries into this incident to identify and bring to justice the offender.

“While we spoke to witnesses on the night, we know there would have been many people in the pub who saw what happened and have not yet spoken to police. There may also have been people who were taking photos or filming videos on the night who may have captured part of this incident.

“We are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or any suspicious behaviour in the area at the time.”

Det Chief Insp Dalton added: “The use of knives on our streets is extremely dangerous and will not be tolerated. 

“Day in day out our officers conduct warrants, stop checks, land searches and other proactive activity to help us take knives out of circulation and put before the courts those offenders prepared to store, carry and use them.

“Figures published this week show that this work has helped reduce knife crime by 18.6% compared to the previous 12 months, and possession of weapons offences fell by 6.3%, but incidents like this show why our work must continue.

“The public can help, and I want to appeal to anyone with information about knife crime in Merseyside, or this incident in particular, to please get in touch. You can contact @MerPolCC, 101 quoting ref 24000121000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111."