UPDATE: Victim of stabbing revealed to be a John Moores student

Yesterday at around 8:25pm a 19 year old female student was stabbed in the stomach near Brownlow Hill in a struggle as a man attempted to snatch her purse.

Police have revealed that the victim was a Liverpool John Moores University student travelling home from the library.

The Echo have reported that police remained at the scene this morning with a cordon up on May Street, at the junction with Brownlow Hill. They are exploring CCTV near where the robbery took place, with witness enquiries ongoing.

Merseyside Police have said the incident happened at around 8.25pm last night, with the man believed to have run off towards Brownlow Hill.

The Echo reported that a Liverpool John Moores University spokeswoman said: “We are shocked and saddened at the attack on one of our female students in Liverpool City Centre last night.

“We are in close contact with the student and her family to ensure they are fully supported and we have issued widespread advice to staff and students to remind them of security procedures and guidance about being safe in the city, particularly in the evening.

“The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is of paramount importance and LJMU is part of the Liverpool City Safe Board which meets to address safety issues alongside the emergency services and other universities, across Liverpool.

“LJMU’s security team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year and can be contacted at any time on 0151 231 2222 from any phone. We also have a dedicated professional student advice and wellbeing team that students can contact if they have been affected by a criminal incident for confidential support and advice.”

Detective Inspector Steve McGrath said: “I would appeal for anyone who was in the vicinity of May Street or Brownlow Hill at around 8.30pm last night who may have seen the incident or seen a male running away to get in touch.

“The investigation is in its early days but extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of what happened, support the young woman concerned and find the person responsible.

I want to make it clear that Merseyside Police will not tolerate the use of knives as weapons on our streets, and the force is absolutely determined to eradicate knife crime. Alongside our partners, we will continue to educate, enforce and act on any information given to us, to make the streets safer.”

“Anyone who witnessed the incident or saw anything suspicious that could help is asked to contact 0151 777 4065 or you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously and for free on 0800 555 111 or via their online form.”

“We’d also appeal to people with any information about people carrying knives to contact us on 101 or Crimestoppers. We will act on all the information we receive.”