A man suspected of a double stabbing has been shot by police on a street in Merseyside.

Officers were called to the Tobruk Road area of Huyton shortly before 16:30 BST after reports a man and a woman had been attacked, Merseyside Police said.

Armed officers arrived at the scene and shot the suspect, who was later taken to hospital for treatment, the force added.

The man and woman who were stabbed have also been taken to hospital and their condition has been described as serious but stable.

An investigation is underway with forensics team at scene, while the road has been cordoned off.

The force said it was an “isolated incident” adding it was not looking for anyone else.

Officers have been going house-to-house to make enquiries and checking CCTV in the area, a spokesman for the force said.

As is standard procedure in these circumstances, the force has informed the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who will start an independent investigation.

Det Supt Paul Speight said he understands people who live in the area will be shocked by this incident.

“We are still in the very early stages of investigating and part of our initial inquiries will be to establish the full circumstances of what happened.

“In the meantime, I want to reassure the public that Merseyside Police is committed to keeping our communities safe and we take all reports of incidents involving weapons extremely seriously.”

He added: “The IOPC will now conduct an independent investigation and we will be co-operating fully with their investigation in the coming days and weeks.”