UPDATE: Investigation underway after man injured during bike theft in Southport

** UPDATE - 6.45PM SATURDAY 20 JULY**

Detectives investigating an incident in which a man was injured during a bike theft in Southport have arrested three men on suspicion of attempted murder.

They are a 22 year-old man from Liverpool city centre, a 22 year-old man from Wavertree and a 19 year-old man from Liverpool city centre.

They are all currently in custody and enquiries remain ongoing.

We have launched an investigation after a man was seriously injured during a motorbike theft in Southport last night, Friday 19 July.

We were contacted at 8.25pm after the man, who in his 20s, reportedly fell from the rear of a moving white Peugeot Boxer van during the theft on The Promenade/Leyland Road.

The man suffered head and chest injuries and has been taken to hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

An investigation is underway and CCTV and witness enquires are being carried out in the local area.

Detective Inspector Sarah Wilkinson said: “Enquiries are in the very early stages as we establish what has taken place. We are speaking to people living locally and viewing CCTV.

“It appears the victim had attempted to stop the bike being stolen and has fallen from the rear of the van which made off along Leyland Road.

“Enquiries are ongoing to trace the van and its occupants and I would ask anyone who was in the area of The Promenade/Leyland Road last night who saw or heard anything to contact us as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 24000631244.