One victim ran into a nearby shop covered in blood
Police at Newton Community Hospital in Newton-le-Willows yesterday(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Police have issued an updated after six people were attacked by a man with a metal bar at a hospital yesterday. Merseyside Police were called to Newton Community Hospital in Newton-le-Willows at around midday on Tuesday December 30 following reports a man had assaulted a number of people.
Yesterday afternoon, a spokesperson for the force said a man had been arrested. It was believed he had entered the hospital to ask for an appointment but became “increasingly agitated” when his request was refused and he was asked to leave. The suspect, a 20-year-old man originally from Afghanistan, was said to have damaged a counter before assaulting at least five people inside the hospital.
In an update this morning, Merseyside Police said a total of six people needed treatment in hospital and walk-in centres after the incident. Their injuries included head lacerations, injuries to their arms and hands, and bruising. All are in a stable condition.
The weapon used during the attack- a metal bar – has been recovered for forensic examination, witnesses are being spoken to and all available CCTV footage is being analysed.
The 20 year-old man was taken to a police station in Merseyside and has now been detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.
A scene remains in place at the community hospital while enquiries into the incident continue. A mobile police station is also on site and people are encouraged to speak to officers with any worries or concerns.
There will be high visibility policing patrols in the local area. Merseyside Police says its officers will continue to engage with staff and patients at the hospital as well as people living and working locally.
St Helens Local Policing Superintendent Sarah Rotherham said: “We understand that this incident would have caused concern for the local community and I hope the public feel reassured by the increased police presence.
“I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to one of our officers or contact their local police station.”
Yesterday, a local shop worker at Best One, opposite the hospital, told the ECHO a woman came running into the store asking for help and to call the police. Sugedaran Shanmugaraja said: “She had a lot of blood at the back of her head and on her shoulder. She was shaking and upset.
Police officers are at the hospital this morning(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“I had to stay with the customers because I had a long queue but I passed her my phone and she called police. Next thing there were 10 or 15 police cars and an ambulance. I gave her a bottle of water and then a hospital nurse came in and helped the lady.”
Local councillor, Seve Gomez-Aspron, told the ECHO a family friend had dashed to his dad’s home to tell him someone was attacking staff within the hospital. He said: “At around 12.10pm I got a phone call from my dad, who lives next to the hospital, to say a family friend had run to his house to tell him that someone was attacking staff within the hospital and damaging the reception area.
“I live nearby, so I told him to call the police and I rushed to the hospital and so I got there within a few minutes. From receiving the call, to arriving, there had been a massive emergency response to deal with the incident.”
Anyone with information on the incident should contact the Merseyside Police social media desk @MerPolCC on X and Facebook quoting reference 25001060801. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.”
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.