Teenager stabbed in 'targeted attack'

Police said two men in balaclavas were seen cycling away from the attack

A teenager has been stabbed on a street in what has been described as a "targeted attack".

The 15-year-old boy was assaulted and his arm was injured on Mersey Bank Road in the New Ferry area of Wirral at about 12:25 GMT on Saturday, Merseyside Police said.

Two men dressed all in black and wearing balaclavas were seen riding away from the injured teenager on electric bikes, the force added.

Det Insp Paula Jones said police had stepped up patrols in the area to "reassure communities" as they investigated the stabbing.

Extra stop-and-search powers had been put in place around New Ferry after the attack, but lapsed at 04:00 GMT on Sunday.

The boy was stabbed twice in the arm but is in a stable condition, a police spokesman said.

The force has asked anyone with any information about the incident to contact them.

"If you want to help us prevent our young people from falling victim to knife crime, give us information and we will do the rest," Det Insp Jones said.

“Knife crime has absolutely no place on the streets of Wirral or anywhere in Merseyside."