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Police have declared a "major incident" in Southport after reports of a stabbing and a "number of reported casualties".

Police said a knife had been seized and that a man had been detained but urged the public to avoid the area near Hart Street.

North West Ambulance Service said at least eight people were stabbed and taken to hospital, some to a children's hospital.

Southport 'major incident' - follow live updates

In a statement, Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that emergency services are in Southport following a major incident this morning, Monday 29 July.

"At around 11.50am, we were called to a property on Hart Street to reports of a stabbing.

"There are a number of reported casualties and more details will be confirmed when possible.

"Armed police have detained a male and seized a knife. He has been taken to a police station.

"Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident. There is no wider threat to the public."

North West Ambulance Service said it received reports of "multiple stabbings".

"We're attending a major incident on Hart Street, Southport following reports of multiple stabbings in which we have dispatched multiple resources," it said.

"We're assessing the situation and working with emergency partners."

Residents nearby have been talking to local media, with one woman who alerted neighbours and told them to lock their doors and windows.

She told the Liverpool Echo: "It was about 12.20pm, I think, and we heard loads of sirens and then there was a helicopter circling above.

"Then the messages started to go around the local WhatsApp groups, saying 'lock your windows, lock your doors', we were told a man was running around stabbing people.

"We are all absolutely terrified, panicking and sick with worry - everyone is trying to reach anyone they know in the area. I don't know how this can happen on a Monday lunchtime."