The field remained cordoned off for several days as police carried out forensic investigations, neighbours said
19:50, 10 Nov 2025Updated 19:51, 10 Nov 2025
A police presence remained on Woodfarm Hey for several days after the stabbing(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Neighbours say they are “terrified” after a 15-year-old boy was stabbed on a field in Stockbridge Village, amid growing concern over rising knife crime. Emergency services were called to Woodfarm Hey at around 3.45pm on Friday, November 7, following reports of a stabbing. The victim was taken to hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
A 17-year-old boy from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder on Monday (November 10) and has been conditionally bailed while investigations continue.
Residents described seeing a significant police presence in the area for several days after the attack.
One neighbour told the ECHO: “I only found out something had happened when I saw all the police. They were everywhere. The area used to be OK. It’s just the last couple of months where we’ve had one thing after another. It’s terrible.
“There’s no deterrent and they just carry on. When I was young, we were terrified of that. They’re not worried now, because they know they’ll be out of jail in a few years. That seems to be the attitude these days.”
The field on Woodfarm Hey, which neighbours say was cordoned off for several days following the stabbing(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Another mum said the incident had left her frightened for her children’s safety. She said: “It’s absolutely terrifying. Every other week it seems a kid has been stabbed. I have three kids and I get scared every time they leave the house.”
A third resident said: “I saw police on the field. I think it happened after I picked my child up from school. We came back and there was a huge cordon around the field. Police officers came to my house to ask questions, but I couldn’t help them.
“They cordoned off the field for around three days. They taped around the whole square area of the field so no one could get through.”
Others said the cordon remained in place for several days while forensic teams carried out their investigation.
A dog walker added: “I don’t live here but I cut through with the dog. When I came on Friday they wouldn’t let anyone through for nothing.”
In response to the stabbing, Merseyside Police increased patrols across Knowsley over the weekend and introduced two section 60 orders – one covering Stockbridge Village and another in Huyton – giving officers enhanced stop-and-search powers to prevent further violence.
The order in Huyton was on the back of an shooting when a 19-year-old man was shot on the same evening outside an address on Manley Road. He remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Police at the cordoned off Manley Road on Saturday(Image: Liverpool Echo)
In an update this morning, Merseyside Police said a car, believed to be a dark-coloured Mercedes, drove away from the scene and enquiries are ongoing to locate this vehicle and the occupants. Police officers are still on the street this morning conducting enquires.
The incidents happened around 2.3 miles away from each other. Police said on Saturday that it was not initially believed that the incidents were linked, but detectives are “keeping an open mind.”
Knowsley Local Policing Superintendent Karl Baldwin said: “We hope some of these results will offer reassurance to those living in Stockbridge Village and Huyton, as high-visibility policing continues in these communities.
“I’m sure that people in these areas, as well as the wider Merseyside community, will have been shocked by the two incidents on Friday and enquiries are ongoing into both, with a teenage boy now arrested in connection with the stabbing in Stockbridge Village.
“Since these incidents, patrols have been increased in Knowsley and 123 stop searches have been carried out.
“Section 60 orders are just one of the measures we can take to disrupt those who are willing to use firearms and knives in our community.
“Such action isn’t about bothering anyone going about their daily business or preventing people from meeting with friends. It’s simply about taking action to reduce violence, take weapons off the streets and keep everyone safe.
“Key to reducing the harm from serious crime is information from the public, so please speak up and you can help reduce the risk. If you suspect anyone is carrying, storing or using weapons, do the right thing and let us know, or call Crimestoppers anonymously, and we will take action.”
Anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Facebook or X @MerPolCC. You can also report information via the website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101 quoting incident reference 25000914642 (Stockbridge Village) and 25000915302 (Huyton).
Alternatively, you 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. In an emergency always call 999.