A teenage boy was slashed as four schoolboys aged around 14 robbed his bike at knifepoint this afternoon.
The four thugs struck around 4.15pm on Wango Lane, Aintree , close to the canal path, where they threatened the 17-year-old victim, forced him to hand over his bike and slashed him to the hand .
The teenager suffered minor injuries but was left "extremely distressed", according to Merseyside Police .
Detectives say the group walked off with the bike towards Melling Lane in the direction of Maghull , and said CCTV and witness enquiries are ongoing.
The suspects are described as around 14 years old, with the boy carrying the knife described as white, 5ft 10in in height, of large build, and wearing a grey padded jacket with a hood, and dark bottoms.
The stolen bike is described as a black and blue Trek EX5 mountain bike with stickers from the ‘Rick and Morty’ cartoon series on the frame.
Detective Inspector Tara Denn said: "We’re keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this appalling incident or saw a group of young males walking in this area a short time later in possession of this distinctive bike.
"The victim and his family have been left understandably shaken by this ordeal, and I want to reassure them and indeed everyone who visits this area with family and friends that we will take action on all information you provide.
"If you have been offered this bike for sale or seen it being ridden anywhere today, do the right thing and come forward immediately, so we can identify this cowardly group of offenders and remove them from our streets.”
Anyone with information can contact police on Twitter @MerPolCC, call 101 with reference 19100346349 or @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111.
