Anfield attack: Two men targeted in homophobic assault by ‘armed youths’ in Liverpool

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Two men have been targeted in an “appalling” homophobic attack, allegedly carried out by armed teens, which left one of them with serious injuries.

The men, both in their 30s, were approached by three teenage boys while walking in the Anfield district of Liverpool at 9.20pm on Saturday night, Merseyside Police said.

The group made homophobic insults towards the pair before one of them produced a knife and assaulted the men on Manningham Road.

One of the victims sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries to his head and neck, while the second sustained a minor hand injury, officers said.

Police are now searching for three boys who are believed to be between 12 and 15 years old, with one wearing a dark bubble coat and one riding a bike.

The two men have both been taken to hospital for treatment and were left shaken by the incident.

Detective Inspector Tara Denn said: “This was an appalling and unprovoked attack on two men simply making their way home and we are working tirelessly to locate those responsible.

“Two men have been left with significant injuries tonight and the hate and violence that has been inflicted on them is simply unacceptable and won’t be tolerated on the streets of Merseyside.”

Police have urged anyone who was in Manningham Road or the surrounding area on the night of the attack to come forward with any information.

A crime scene remains in place on the road and extensive enquiries are ongoing in the area.

Ms Denn added: “I want to reach out to the LGBT community, who I know will be deeply saddened by this news, and reassure you that we stand with you and if you report such incidents to the police, we will do our utmost to support and protect you and bring those responsible to justice.

“We are passionate about maintaining the right of all our communities to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect, and by working closely with our partners will continue to work to eradicate hate crime of all forms.”

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Merseyside Police via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook at Merseyside Police Contact Centre.

Alternatively, anyone with information can call 101 quoting incident reference 19100328734 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Additional reporting by PA