Appeal for information following crossbow incident in St Helens

We are appealing for information after a man was seriously injured in St Helens last night, Sunday 13 July.

At around 10pm, it was reported that a man aged in his 50s had been assaulted on Downway Lane. 

Emergency services attended the scene and the victim has been taken to hospital where his condition is described as serious but stable. The injuries are initially believed to have been caused by a crossbow.

The suspects have been described as being five males, who were all wearing dark clothing and face coverings. They fled the scene on foot towards Fleet Lane.

Although we are in the very initial stages of the investigation, it  is believed that this incident was targeted and enquiries are ongoing to find the people responsible.

Officers remain at the scene to provide reassurance to the community and also carry out initial CCTV and witness enquiries.

Detective Inspector Steve Byrom said: “We are in the very early stages of the investigation and we are determined to find the people responsible.

“I understand that the community will rightly be concerned by this incident but please be assured that we are determined to find the suspects involved.

“We believe that five males fled the area on foot and enquiries are ongoing to locate them and find any weapons used in this incident.

“We are also keen to speak to anyone who was in the general area who saw or heard anything suspicious or believes they captured something significant on their dashcam, CCTV or doorbell camera.

“We know that violence and weapons causes misery on our streets and we would ask for the public’s help in coming forward with any bit of information they have so we can find the people responsible.”

Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101 quoting incident reference 25000577410.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. In an emergency always call 999.