Formby beach stabbings: Three men taken to hospital as police say attacks were linked

A man is in a critical condition and two other people have been seriously injured after a stabbing on a beach, police have confirmed.

The victims were taken to hospital by air ambulance after emergency services were called to Formby beach in Sefton at around 7.10pm on Sunday (30 May).

Incidents may be linked

One of the men is in a critical, but stable condition, and the conditions of the other man and the teenager are described as serious but not life-threatening, a force spokesman said.

Merseyside Police have said they believe the incidents may be linked, but investigations are still ongoing.

The force is urging anyone who may have any information about the incident to come forward, and confirmed that CCTV and forensic enquiries are ongoing.

Detective Superintendent Mark Baker said: “At this early stage we believe that these incidents are linked, but are keeping an open mind as to the motives behind them.

“However, we know the community of Formby and beyond will be alarmed to hear about what has happened and will share our determination to find those responsible and remove them from the streets.

“Officers remain at the scene and are available to support any residents looking for information or support.

“I know that there were a number of people on the beach this evening, and I’d like to urge anyone who saw what happened to come forward and help us to identify the offender as soon as possible.

“It is appalling and sad that on a sunny day like today when people have been out enjoying themselves, we are patrolling our beaches after such a horrific incident.

“Knife crime has no place whatsoever in our communities and we’re doing everything we can to bring the offender to justice.”

A police spokesman said a dispersal zone would be in place until Wednesday afternoon (2 June), giving officers powers to direct people they suspected were likely to cause crime or anti-social behaviour to leave the area.

Inspector Graham Fisher said: “We are well aware of the significant impacts of knife-related crime – which have led to three young men needing hospital treatment in the last 24 hours – and the worry this will cause for the vast majority of people in the area who are law-abiding members of the community looking to enjoy the beach and surrounding areas.

“The dispersal zone gives us the powers we need to deal effectively with people and I would urge anyone in the area with any information about anti-social behaviour or violent crime on the beach and dunes to contact us.”

Calls for information

Anyone who has any information about the incident is urged to contact the police.

This can be done via the social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter, or through Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook with reference 978 of 30/05.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers to report information anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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