A man was stabbed in the head in the middle of a Liverpool city centre street.
The 31-year-old arrived at the Royal Liverpool hospital with a suspected wound to the head at around 5.30pm on Wednesday following the incident.
He is being treated in hospital, where his condition critical but stable.
Detectives believe that the incident may have taken place in the Hatton Garden area of the city centre, close to the Richmond Hotel.
Merseyside Police have launched an investigation to establish the full circumstances and urged anyone with information about to get in touch.
Detective Inspector Sean Kelly-Martland said “We are in the early stages of an investigation.
“I would like to reassure the local community that officers are carrying out CCTV, forensic and witness enquiries.
“As we work to piece together what happened I would urge anyone who witnessed the incident, any suspicious behaviour in the area, or has any CCTV or dashcam footage, to please contact us.
“A young man has been left seriously injured in this assault and we will work tirelessly to locate whoever is responsible and bring them to justice.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or call, 101 quoting ref. 20000764507.
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form.