Police raced to a street in Anfield this afternoon following a ‘large-scale disturbance’ which saw a man taken to hospital after being stabbed in the face
A man has been rushed to hospital after he was knifed in the face during a “large-scale disturbance” in Anfield.
Police raced to the junction of Oakfield Road and Walton Breck Road at around 12.45pm this afternoon following reports of a stabbing.
A number of weapons were recovered from the scene, reports Liverpool Echo.
The victim was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital for treatment. His condition is not currently known.
Footage of the disturbance was circulated widely on social media and appeared to show a large group of men armed with metal poles.
Two groups of men were seen appearing to throw punches, with several people, including police officers, attempting to intervene and break the scuffle up.
Five men, aged 19 and 20, from Buckinghamshire, Wigan and Galway, have been arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including Section 18 wounding with intent, affray and possession of a bladed article. They remain in police custody for questioning.
Merseyside Police have put a dispersal order in place until 1.15pm on Saturday, alongside a Section 60 stop and search authorisation which remains active until 2.15pm the same day to prevent any further incidents. Both measures will be kept under review.
Officers have also warned of a heightened police presence to provide reassurance to residents.
The orders cover a wide area including Priory Road, Breck Road, Breckfield Road North, Robson Street, Sleepers Hill, Anfield Road and Walton Lane, as well as surrounding streets within the designated boundary.
It will give officers powers to direct individuals suspected of causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to leave the area and not return for up to 48 hours. Officers may also seize items, including vehicles, linked to anti-social behaviour.
Failure to comply with the direction to leave, or returning to the area within the exclusion period, can result in arrest.
The Section 60 order, under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, provides officers with enhanced stop and search powers in an effort to reduce the risk of further serious violence.
Superintendent Kris Le Poidevin said: “Such disorder will not be tolerated on Merseyside, and our officers were quickly at the scene and made a number of arrests to restore order in the area.
“There will be a highly visible police presence in the area to robustly deal with any issues and provide reassurance so that no one is subjected to such behaviour.
“We have proactively put the Section 60 Order and Section 34 Dispersal authorities in place so as to provide us with the powers needed to stop and search people, and to remove those causing issues from a designated area.
“These additional powers are not about bothering anyone going about their daily business or preventing people from meeting up with friends. It’s simply about taking action to reduce intimidation, anti-social behaviour and violence and make sure that everyone can feel safe.”
To report a crime contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X or Facebook @MerPolCC.
You can also report information via the force’s website or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here.
