Man Attacked with Axe at Bootle Strand Shopping Centre

Bootle Strand was cordoned off by police Emergency services swarmed Bootle Strand shopping centre this evening after a man was attacked with a weapon. The ECHO understands a man was hit on the head with an axe. Witnesses reported seeing "blood everywhere" as paramedics bandaged his head up. At around 5.45pm on Thursday (January 22) Merseyside Police were called to Stanley Road following reports a man had been assaulted and suffered lacerations to his head and face, caused by a bladed weapon. The victim was taken to hospital for assessment and enquiries are ongoing to trace the offenders. The attack is believed to have happened near a bingo hall. A man who was working in a shop nearby said: "I was working and the fella came in and there was blood everywhere, he looked like he'd been hit in the side of his face with an axe. "The police believe it has happened further down Stanley Road. The victim then walked down to the Strand because they always sit on that bench near Burger King and that's where the ambulance came to. " A McDonald's staff member also said: "We saw it all. A person was hit in the head with an axe. There was lots of blood. Paramedics came and bandaged his head up. We don't know who it was but there's always people sitting on that bench." A large area of Stanley Road was cordoned off, including the entrance to the shopping centre and a number of shops and restaurants. House-to-house, forensic and CCTV enquiries are ongoing, police say. When the ECHO arrived at the scene forensics officers appeared to be focusing their investigation on a bench near Burger King. What appeared to be blood was spotted on the floor by the bench and officers were taking pictures. Police also focused enquiries at a bin inside the cordon. A KFC worker said: "I didn't actually see what happened, I just saw all the blue lights when the emergency services came. People have been coming in and out of the restaurant saying that someone was hit with an axe." Detective Inspector Sara Lang said: “These are the early stages of our investigation and it is paramount that we speak to anyone who saw or has since heard anything about this assault as we look to establish the circumstances and find those responsible. “A large cordon will be in place close to the bingo hall on Stanley Road, where we believe that the assault happened. Avoid the area where possible while we carry out this work.” Anyone with information is asked to contact @MerPolCC on X or Facebook, or 101, with reference 720. You can also come forward anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter. Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here. Follow us on X @LivECHONews or on Bluesky @liverpoolecho.co.uk - official Liverpool ECHO accounts - real news in real time. We're also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.