A takeaway owner was stabbed in an alleged racist attack in Southport.
The 30-year-old owner of Bluto’s eaterie on Shakespeare Street, known locally as Rio, was taken to Southport Hospital.
He was stabbed in the leg at around 5pm on Thursday.
The attacker had allegedly shouted racist abuse at the victim and threatened his girlfriend with a metal pole near the Promenade earlier that day.
Kirsty Nolan, 19, the victim’s girlfriend, said: “He got a metal pole out and tried to hit me with it.”
The man, who is described as being in his twenties, visited the takeaway later that day with another man.
It is alleged he started waving a knife around and the other man smashed a chair against the counter.
The owner, who is originally from Jordan, managed to chase them out of the shop but was stabbed in the leg.
Kirsty said: “He was trying to get Rio with the knife.He just kept swinging and got him in the leg.
Rio, who is still recovering from his injuries, said: “This was a one-off racist incident and this kind of incident will not be happening in my shop again. I’d like to thank everybody who has shown their concern.”
House-to-house enquiries were carried out and shop CCTV is being examined.
Neighbourhood Inspector Tony Jones, said: “We are determined to catch the person responsible for this attack.
“I would appeal for anyone who was in the area at the time and saw this assault take place or the offender to come forward and help our investigation. I would like to advise the public that incidents such as this are rare, and we have stepped up our patrols in the area to reassure the public and provide a visible presence.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0151 777 3165 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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