Appeal for witnesses after incident in Merseyside

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is appealing for witnesses following an incident in Merseyside that led to a man being taken to hospital.

The IOPC was notified by Merseyside Police of the incident on Sandy Road, Seaforth, near Liverpool, on Saturday (February 27). Investigators were sent to the scene and the police post incident procedures.

The IOPC later received a referral from the force and an independent investigation is now underway.

While this investigation is at a very early stage, we have established that officers were sent to the scene shortly after 7.30pm after police were called by a member of the public about a man in distress and in possession of a knife on Sandy Road. The man left the scene and officers arriving in the area found him nearby.

The caller reported the man appeared to be injured and an ambulance was called. A man was subsequently restrained by officers before paramedics arrived and took him to hospital. While in the ambulance, the man’s condition deteriorated. He remains in hospital.

IOPC Regional Director Amanda Rowe said: “We believe this incident was witnessed by members of the public and some people may have filmed part of it on their phones. I would urge anyone who has not yet spoken to us to get in touch as they may be able to help with our investigation.

“I understand this will have been unsettling for those in the area at the time and it is important the we independently investigate so that we can understand exactly what happened that led to this situation.”

Investigators will be speaking to people who were present at the time. Evidence from body worn video cameras and CCTV footage will also be considered as part of the investigation.

Anyone with any information about the incident, particularly footage from the scene, is asked to contact the IOPC by emailing [email protected] or calling 0300 303 5725.