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A 19-year-old man was slashed and stabbed in what police have described as a serious assault inside Birkenhead Park in the early hours of Sunday morning.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Merseyside Police were called at around 1.45 am to reports of an attack. The teenager suffered a serious laceration to his hand and stomach as well as a wound to his thigh. He is in hospital in a stable condition, and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The park was cordoned off south of Ashville Road, as officers kept their presence known around the area. The police are now investigating the attack, specifically around the Birkenhead Park Cricket Club pitches. On Saturday night, an 18th birthday party was being held, but police haven't yet confirmed if the incident is connected to the party.
Residents recalled being woken by a loud police helicopter hovering over the park in the early hours of the morning. According to reports, one resident told reporters they saw "someone on the floor by the entrance to the park covered in a silver blanket".
Meanwhile, another witness said they saw a group of eight to ten "young lads" in the park after some had been picked up in taxis.
All gates into the southern part of the park were locked by Wirral Council on Sunday.
One dog walker said, "I took the dog out earlier than usual this morning because I couldn't sleep with the heat. I normally do a lap around the cricket grounds, but I was told by police officers that I couldn't go in because there had been a serious incident."
Officers from a Matrix unit arrived at the scene at around 2 pm to begin a fingertip search. The park remained closed to the public, though cricketers from St Mary's Cricket Club, whose pitch borders Ashville Road, were allowed to begin their match at around the same time.
Detective Superintendent Joe Marston said in a statement: "We are in the early stages of the investigation to establish the circumstances of what has taken place. I would appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of the park and surrounding homes in the area who had seen or heard anything to come forward and speak to us.
"I also urge people in the area to check your CCTV and dashcam footage to see if it has captured any footage, no matter how small, as any information may help with the investigation. "
Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police quoting reference 26000516874 or call Crimestoppers anonymously.
