A McDonald's worker has described seeing 'blood everywhere' after a man was allegedly struck in the head with an axe at a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside. The attack occurred at the Strand shopping centre on Thursday afternoon, prompting a major police response.
Merseyside Police said the victim, a man in his 40s, sustained lacerations to his head and face from a bladed weapon. He was taken to hospital and is in a stable condition. Officers were called to Stanley Road at around 5.45pm following reports of the assault.
A McDonald's employee told the Liverpool Echo: 'We saw it all. A person was hit on the head with an axe. There was lots of blood. Paramedics came and bandaged his head up.' Another worker from a nearby shop added: '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.'
Forensic officers were seen taking photographs of a bench and bloodstains near a Burger King, where the investigation appeared to be focused. A bag and coat were also removed from the bench. Police believe the attack may have initially occurred further down Stanley Road before the victim walked to the Strand.
Detective Inspector Sara Lang said: 'This would have been a shocking incident to witness, and we are keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened. We initially think that this was a targeted attack by people known to the victim but we are keeping an open mind as to the motive.' She urged anyone with information to come forward, adding: 'Knife crime devastates communities.'
Police are continuing door-to-door enquiries and reviewing CCTV footage. The suspects remain at large, and officers are appealing for witnesses to contact them.
