Four men extradited from France and returned to Liverpool to be arrested over city centre stabbings and mass brawl

Four men who were stopped by French authorities in the port of Calais and extradited to Merseyside Police have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a mass confrontation in Liverpool city centre that led to a stabbing.

A 21-year-old man was rushed to hospital after being knifed in the chest during the 'large-scale disturbance' in the early hours of 27 December. He was found at the junction of Church Street and Whitechapel, near to McDonald's, by a police patrol at around 5.30am. He remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

A second male, aged 21, who was stabbed in the back following what witnesses described as a 'mass brawl' involving two groups that left The Safehouse bar on Victoria Street and entered Peter Street, is also stable and recovering at home.

A third man, aged 23, suffered a laceration to the head, believed to have been caused by being hit with a bottle or glass and is also recovering at home. Following enquiries, a fourth man, aged 20, was identified with lacerations to his head. He is recovering at home.

Detectives launched an investigation and raided a number of addresses in Anfield and Wavertree on Thursday 27 December, where evidential items were seized. On Tuesday 2 January, four men were detained by French Authorities in Calais and have now been extradited to Merseyside Police. The four men - a 21-year-old from Wavertree, a 20-year-old from Everton; a 21-year-old from Huyton; and a 21-year-old man from Dovecot - have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and violent disorder. They are now in custody, where they will be questioned.

The Safehouse bar linked to the mass confrontation has had its licence temporarily suspended by Liverpool City Council until 24 January, when a full Committee hearing will take place, following an application from Merseyside Police.