Man charged with a number of offences following stabbing in Bootle

At around 6.50pm, emergency services were called to Asda in Strand Road to reports of an altercation between a suspected shoplifter and a security guard, during which the security guard sustained superficial stab wounds to his leg and arm. The victim was treated at the scene by the ambulance service before being taken to hospital.

25-year-old Aaron Alan Smith of Ford Lane, Litherland was arrested a short time later and has now been charged with section 18 wounding, going equipped for theft, four counts of theft, burglary, possession of a bladed article and two counts of making threats with a bladed article.

Smith will appear at South Sefton Magistrates Court today, Monday, 22 April.

Anyone with information on knife crime can contact @MerPolCC, call 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.