Four people were stabbed and injured in separate attacks in Merseyside across three days this Bank Holiday weekend.
Two 14-year-old boys, an ASDA security guard and a brave dad were the victims who were left needing medical attention throughout the last three days.
Police have strongly condemned the knife attacks that happened across Merseyside as areas of Toxteth , Southport, Bootle and Crosby were cordoned off by officers investigating the latest spates of incidents in our region.
One of the victims has refused to cooperate with police while another has spoken out in defiance against those who stabbed him.
Each of the incidents is completely different and although, thankfully, none were fatal, four people were left seriously injured.
This is what happened during the Bank Holiday horror weekend.
Friday
Teenage girls were reportedly left covered in blood after a 14 year-old boy was stabbed near the sand dunes at Crosby Beach on Friday evening.
The teenager suffered superficial wounds to his leg and stomach in what police believe was a targeted attack , at around 5.45pm.
His attacker is understood to have fled the scene before police arrived.
Meanwhile the victim was treated at the scene and taken to hospital for assessment.
On Saturday, Merseyside Police told the ECHO the victim was " not co-operating with police".
A spokesman for the force said: "The victim is not cooperating with police enquiries, he is in a stable condition with superficial wounds.
"We are still appealing for information."
Around two hours later, a young dad was stabbed in the chest while defending his son from bullies.
William Hughes, 34, said he was knifed on Birch Street in Southport after someone came to his house making threats to stab his son at around 7.40pm.
Mr Hughes said: “I went outside and told them to stay away from my lad and this property and the next thing he is telling me he is going to stab me up, he’s going to stab my boy up.
“Next thing I know the knife is out and I am about five foot away from him and the knife.
"I didn’t know if I should turn around I just didn’t know what to do, so I just launched myself towards him, he moved away, I stumbled and as I stood up I’d been hit with a knife.
“I just thought uh-oh... I’ve been stabbed.
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"Like that’s a scary thought, right there I was fearing for my life, in that moment I thought I’d never see my children again.”
Merseyside Police confirmed they had charged Shaun Pilkington, 18, of Eastbourne Road, Birkdale with causing grievous bodily harm, cannabis cultivation and possession of an offensive weapon.
He was due to appear at South Sefton Magistrates Court today, Monday, 22 April.
Anyone with information on knife crime can contact @MerPolCC, call 101 with reference 862, or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Saturday
A man was charged after an ASDA security guard was stabbed in the arm and leg.
Emergency services were called to the Strand Road store at around 6.50pm on Saturday following reports that a man had been attacked.
On arrival a security guard was found to have suffered 'superficial stab wounds before he was treated at the scene by the ambulance service and taken to hospital.
A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and theft on nearby Gemini Road and was taken to hospital for assessment.
Merseyside Police confirmed on Monday that a 25-year-old man was charged in relation to the incident and released his name ahead of a court appearance.
Aaron Alan Smith, of Ford Lane in Litherland , was charged with section 18 wounding, going equipped for theft, four counts of theft, burglary, possession of a bladed article and two counts of making threats with a bladed article.
Smith will appear at South Sefton Magistrates Court today, Monday, 22 April.
On Sunday, a spokesperson for Asda said: "We take the safety of our customers and colleagues very seriously and are currently assisting police with their enquiries.”
Anyone with information on knife crime can contact @MerPolCC, call 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Sunday
A 14-year-old boy was left in serious condition after being stabbed in Toxteth on Easter Sunday.
The teen turned up at hospital at around 5.55pm with a stab wound to his back before officers erected cordons on Lodge Lane and Seaport Street.
It is believed that the boy arrived at hospital with a family member before being rushed to surgery.
The ECHO understands officers are waiting for the victim to come round from surgery so they can gather more information about the attack.
An appeal shared by Merseyside Police yesterday said: "At around 5.55pm, a 14-year-old boy presented at hospital with injuries to his back consistent with a stab wound. He remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
"Following enquires, cordons were set up in Seaport Street and Lodge Lane, to allow for forensic examination.
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"An investigation is underway and anyone with information is asked to contact police."
Detective Inspector Debbie Tipton said: “This is a shocking incident which has left a 14-year-old boy with serious injuries and we are currently in the early stages of the investigation and working to establishing the full circumstances.
“Anyone who witnessed the incident, has any CCTV or dashcam footage or any information is asked to contact us.
"We believe this happened in a busy area in broad daylight and I would like to emphasise that knife crime will simply not be tolerated under any circumstances on the streets of Merseyside.
“At this stage, it is believed that the victim may have been involved in an earlier altercation between a group of around eight males on Lodge Lane at around 5.30pm.
"I would therefore also ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident to please get in touch as any information, no matter how small, could assist our investigation.”
Police closed Lodge Lane from the Coffee Lodge cafe down to the Broaster chicken shop. A police officer at the scene told locals that there had been a stabbing.
A Section 60 dispersal zone was also put in place in the Toxteth area to prevent more violence. The zone was be in place until 7am on Bank Holiday Monday.
