EIGHT people including children have been injured in a stabbing on a residential street â€" with armed cops swarming on the 'major incident'.
Cops were called to a property on Hart Street in Southport at around 11.50am today.
A man has been detained and a knife seized after a number of people were injured, Merseyside Police said.
North West Ambulance Service said eight patients have been treated so far and taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital.
Cops have warned people to avoid the area but said there is no wider threat to the public.
A local business owner, who was one of the people who called the police, said the incident in Southport was like a 'scene in a horror movie.'
Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs on Hart Street, said: 'The mothers are coming here now and screaming.
'It is like a scene from a horror movie.'
'Police have got him,' he added.
'It's like something from America, not like sunny Southport.'
What we know so far…
- At least eight people, including children, have been injured in the 'major incident'
- Armed police were called to the scene on Hart Street, Southport, at 11.50am
- A man has been detained and a knife seized
- Patients have been taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby Hospital
Witnesses have reported seeing around 20 police cars and several ambulances as well as a helicopter circling above.
One resident told the Liverpool ECHO they had locked their doors and windows to 'stay safe'.
Others have reported hearing 'loads of sirens' and the entirety of the street is behind a police cordon.
A statement Merseyside Police read: 'We can confirm that emergency services are in Southport following a major incident this morning, Monday 29 July.
'At around 11.50am, we were called to a property on Hart Street to reports of a stabbing.
'There are a number of reported casualties and more details will be confirmed when possible.
'Armed police have detained a male and seized a knife. He has been taken to a police station.
'Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no wider threat to the public.'
A spokesperson for North West Ambulance Service said: 'We're attending a major incident on Hart Street, Southport following reports of multiple stabbings in which we have dispatched multiple resources.
'We're assessing the situation and working with emergency partners.'
An ambulance spokesperson said: 'North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is responding to a major incident following a call at 11:48am to Hart Street in Southport following reports of multiple stabbings.
'We have dispatched 13 ambulances along with specialised resources of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), Air Ambulance and Merit Doctors to the scene.
'So far, NWAS has treated eight patients with stab injuries who have been taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Aintree University Hospital and Southport and Formby hospital.'
In a statement, an Alder Hey Children's Hospital spokesperson said: 'The Trust is working with other emergency services to respond to this incident and our Emergency Department is currently extremely busy.
'We ask parents to only bring their children to the Emergency Department if it is urgent.
'All other appointments and services are running as normal.'
Southport MP Patrick Hurley said he was 'deeply concerned' by the reports coming from Merseyside Police.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, he said: 'I am deeply concerned by the reports coming from Merseyside Police about a major incident on Hart Street in Southport today.
'I am hoping for the best possible outcomes to the casualties affected.
'My thoughts go out to all those affected, their loved ones and to the entire community.
'The police have confirmed that an individual involved in the attack has now been detained.
'I am repeating the advice of the police to avoid the area whilst the police and ambulance teams support this incident.'
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