A man is fighting for his life after an attack near the scene of Birkenhead’s Royal visit.
The 49-year-old was at the junction of Exmouth Street and Claughton Road at around 2.55pm on Monday when it is believed that something was thrown at his car.
A struggle ensued between the driver of the black Jaguar and four men, during which the victim sustained a serious head injury.
He has been taken to hospital where his condition is described as critical.
The incident took place shortly after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had visited the nearby Hive youth centre as part of their first royal engagement of 2019.
Crime Scene Investigators will be carrying out forensic examinations at the scene and officers will be examining CCTV footage from the area in a bid to identify those involved and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Officers will also be making enquiries at local businesses and speaking to local residents.
Detectives are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the incident, or who has any information which could help them with their inquiries, to come forward.
One offender is described as white, approximately 5ft 6in tall and 15-17 years. He was wearing a black jacket with grey tracksuit trousers and black trainers.
It is believed he may have been holding a stick.
A second male is described as white, approximately 5ft tall, with ginger hair and aged between 15 and 17 years. He was wearing a black coat, black trainers and black trousers.
A third male is described as white, approximately 5ft 8in tall with short dark hair. He was wearing a black coat with a light fur trim on the hood, and a blue T-shirt or blue hoodie and black trainers.
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 0565 of 14 January 2019.