CCTV image appeal following serious assault in Liverpool city centre

Detectives have issued CCTV images of a man who may have information that could assist enquiries following a report of serious assault in a Liverpool city centre.

At around 6.30am on Saturday 23 May North West Ambulance Service reported that a man was found unconscious after being punched in the face at the junction of Fleet Street and Hanover Street.

It was further reported that the offender called the victim a racial slur prior to assaulting him.

The victim, a man in his 20s, sustained a skull fracture, brain injury, resulting in a speech impediment, which required a two-week stay in hospital.

Extensive CCTV and witness enquiries have been conducted, and detectives have issued CCTV images of a man they believe could assist in their investigation.

Detective Inspector Joe Rea said: “This was a dangerous and reckless attack which left the victim seriously injured from the unprovoked attack.

“The victim required extensive hospital treatment, and he now has a speech impediment from his brain injury.

“We believe this incident to be racially motivated, however we are exploring all lines of enquiry and would appeal to anyone who information to please contact us.

“Our enquiries are ongoing, and we are determined to find the person responsible. 

“I am appealing to the man featured in the CCTV footage, or anyone who recognises him to come forward. We believe he could hold information that could be vital to our continuing enquiries.”

Det Insp Rea added: “In Merseyside, we believe that everyone should be able to live their lives without fear of being subjected to verbal or physical abuse.

“We are committed to tackling hate in our communities and would strongly encourage all victims to come forward and report such incidents.

“Where we identify a crime, we take firm action and offer the support of partner agencies to ensure the person reporting gets the assistance they need to feel safe.”

Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X or Facebook @MerPolCC. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or by calling 101 quoting incident reference 26000420107.

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

Anyone with any information on a hate crime in their area can contact police via Facebook and X at @MerPolCC, or call 101. You can also report information via our website: How to report hate crime | Merseyside Police.

As part of the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service, specialist support services are on hand to offer support if you’ve been affected by a hate crime. You can access this service either via the Victim Care website Home: Victim Care Merseyside or by calling freephone 0808 175 3080.

If for any reason, you do not wish to speak to the police, you can contact the independent charity Stop Hate UK to report a crime and get advice. Stop Hate UK’s helpline is available 24 hours a day and is completely confidential.

You can report a hate crime by:

• Telephone 24/7 on 0800 138 1625
• Webchat at stophateuk.org/report-here/
• Stop Hate UK hate crime reporting app available on App store and Google Play store