POLICE have launched a witnesses appeal after a 55-year-old man was stabbed at his home in Liscard early this morning.

The victim was at the property in Liscard Road when it is believed up to three offenders forced entry to his flat just after 4.35am.

He was stabbed in the arm when he went to investigate a noise downstairs. The offenders, believed to be two men and one woman, then ran off.

The victim received a serious injury to his forearm and was taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

Detective Inspector Dave McCaughrean said: "We believe this was a targeted attack but we are being open-minded as to the motive and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

"Neighbours have reported hearing a commotion and people running down nearby Alverston Road at around that time so we ask anyone who may have heard anything to let us know, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

"We will not tolerate knife crime on the streets of Merseyside and seek the public's help in finding these offenders so they can be brought to justice."

Police have conducted house-to-house enquiries and patrols have been stepped up in the area.

Anyone with any information can call Merseyside Police on 0151 777 2264 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.