Two men 'armed with machete' seen in Merseyside town before man stabbed in flat

Two men 'armed with machete' seen in Merseyside town before man stabbed in flat A man in his 20s was stabbed in a flat in Prescot, Merseyside, with a witness saying they saw two men armed with a 'machete' enter the building beforehand A man has been stabbed in a flat in a Merseyside town, with a witness saying they saw two men armed with a "machete" enter the building before the incident. Emergency services were called to Fairhurst Terrace on Scotchbarn Lane in Prescot at around 2.20pm on Sunday following reports of a disturbance. Merseyside Police said officers attended and found evidence of an assault. A man in his 20s was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with those caused by a bladed weapon. A force spokesperson said his condition was still being assessed. A resident told the Liverpool Echo they saw two men wearing balaclavas enter the flat armed with a "machete" before fleeing. They said: "I believe [the victim's] mum took him to Whiston Hospital with severe stab wounds. There's blood all over the walls and his bedroom. They left the knife at the scene but escaped over the fences at the back onto St James Road. They had balaclavas on and one spoke with a Liverpool accent." A police cordon remained in place at the scene on Sunday evening as detectives continued their investigation. Several police vehicles lined the residential road while officers conducted door-to-door enquiries, including on Lavender Crescent. Detective Inspector Leanne Toole said: "We initially believe that this was a targeted attack which took place inside a premises. Nonetheless. I completely recognise the impact this might have on people in the area when hearing what has happened, especially those neighbours who may have heard or seen something. "In addition to our extensive work in the area, it is important that anyone living, working or passing by the area who we may not yet have been able to reach checks in case they hold any evidence. "We are particularly looking for anyone who saw or otherwise captured anyone leaving the area on foot or in a vehicle at around 2.20pm this afternoon. Come forward and we will do all we can to swiftly identify and remove from the community those responsible, and indeed anyone who is involved in violent offences." Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police's social media desk via X or Facebook. Information can also be reported via the force's website or by calling 101, quoting incident reference 26000772391. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website.