Appeal following a serious racially aggravated assault in Anfield

October 20, 2014, 1:27 pm

Detectives from the SIGMA hate crime team are appealing for witnesses following a serious racially aggravated assault in Anfield yesterday (Sunday, 19 October)

Officers were called to Lower Breck Road at about 5.30pm following reports that a man had been seriously assaulted by a group of men.

Emergency services attended and found a 34-year-old man with facial injuries and an injury to his knee. He was taken to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital for treatment and his condition is serious but not life threatening.

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At this stage of the investigation officers believe the victim was playing football with friends in Breckside Park at about 5pm and had a verbal altercation with a group of youths. The youths are believed to have shouted racial abuse at the victim before leaving the park.

A short time later a number of men returned to the park and assaulted the 34-year-old man before making off in a grey Vauxhall Astra and a blue transit van.

Patrols carried out an extensive search of the area and conducted house-to-house enquiries in a bid to identify those responsible. Lower Breck Road was closed for a short time yesterday whilst officers carried out forensic searches.

Detectives are also checking CCTV from the area and are appealing to anyone with information to come forward

Detective Sergeant James May, said: “This was a very serious and unprovoked attack on a man who had just been out enjoying a game of football with friends. A group of teenagers approached the victim and shouted racial abuse at him and his friends. A short time later a number of men went to the park and assaulted the victim.

“We are treating this as a racially aggravated assault and believe the victim was also hit by a vehicle before the offenders made off from the area. The victim suffered facial injuries and a knee injury and although he is out of hospital is likely to need further treatment

“The assault took place during daylight hours and it is possible people in the area saw what happened. I am sure the local community would agree that this type of behaviour has no place on Merseyside and I would like to reassure the public that we will do everything possible to find those responsible.

“Information from the public is really important for our investigations and every piece of information is looked into so please come forward if you know anything about this matter.”

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives in the Liverpool North SIGMA team on 0151 777 4814 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111