A man was found stabbed in a city centre shopping street.
Police said they were called out to reports of a man being assaulted on Church Street, in Liverpool, at about 20:55 BST on Thursday.
He was taken to hospital for treatment, with his injuries said by Merseyside Police to be consistent with a bladed weapon being used.
“Knife crime has no place on our streets and we need the public’s help in coming forward and telling us what they know,” said Chief Inspector Tom Welch.
“The investigation is in the very early stages as we seek to establish what has happened in the lead up to this incident,” Ch Insp Welch added.
The force is carrying out CCTV enquiries in the area, with Chief Insp Welch appealing for anyone with information to come forward “as a matter of urgency”.