Police officers shouted at confused people to get back inside their homes as a cordon was erected around their block of flats following a stabbing.
Merseyside Police has launched an investigation into a daylight stabbing on Devon Gardens, off Old Chester Road in Rock Ferry. A teenager was stabbed outside a block of flats at around 4.35pm on Sunday, October 30.
The 19-year-old man took himself to hospital after being stabbed during the attack. People who live in the surrounding area reported seeing sniffer dogs and forensic officers searching for a weapon in the hours after the stabbing.
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A couple who live in the block of flats on Devon Gardens told the ECHO today they saw "at least five officers and four police cars" at around 7pm. They added officers and police sniffer dogs were spotted combing the car park.
One of the couple, who did not want to be named, said: "I was leaving my house at 7pm to go to work and was asked to leave by the back exit instead of the front door due to it being an active crime scene with sniffer dogs working. I didn't hear anything until I left the house.
"I literally walked outside my house and was met with three police officers shouting at me to go back inside to use the backdoor. I asked the officer if it would be safe to go in Edgerton Park as I had to walk through it to get to work. I've lived here since 2016 and never seen something this close to home - it's quite scary."
At the scene today there appeared to be two separate cordons - one covering Devon Gardens and the car park, and a second across the front entrance to the building. Just one police car remained at the entrance to the cordon.
Residents could leave the cordon on their own this morning - but had to sign in with the officer if they were returning home. Cars inside the cordon were unmoved.
Children on their way to school after the half term break slowed down as they walked past the cordon. Parents dropped off their children at the Rose Tree Day Nursery just at the edge of the cordon.
Merseyside Police confirmed it had launched an investigation into the stabbing. CCTV, forensic and witness enquiries are being carried out today in the local area.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police told the ECHO : "We have launched an investigation following reports a 19-year-old man was stabbed in Wirral. The teenager self-presented at hospital with an injury to his body at around 4.35pm yesterday, Sunday, October 30.
"His injury is not believed to be life threatening. It is believed he was assaulted in Devon Gardens, Old Chester Road, Rock Ferry earlier in the day. An investigation is underway and CCTV, forensic and witness enquiries are being carried out in the local area.
"Anyone who can assist with the investigation is asked to DM @MerPolCC or contact @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000797349."
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