We condemn in the strongest possible terms the violence and disorder that happened in Liverpool city centre today (Saturday 3 August).
A group formed at 2pm at the Pier Head, with approximately 750 people in attendance. Soon after, as a counter group, also made up of approximately 750 people, approached and objects were thrown at police officers and their vehicles.
The groups involved then began to move across the city centre onto The Strand and Church Street.
The Strand was closed by police to ensure the safety of the public and to enable officers to deal with the incident.
A number of people set off fire extinguishers and threw various items including bricks and bottles at officers. An officer on a police motorbike was pushed from his bike and assaulted.
A kiosk in Liverpool One and a phone shop on Church Street were damaged, broken into and looted.
Officers remain in the city centre to monitor the situation.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, who led today’s policing operation, said: “The behaviour we have seen today in Liverpool city centre is completely unacceptable.
“What should have been a sunny Saturday on the historic waterfront to be enjoyed by people of all ages turned into an afternoon of unashamed disorder and violence, which potentially put decent members of the public, including children, at risk.
“We have heard reports of families having to run away from the area, some of whom had brought children to see the Disney Princess cruise ship docked nearby.
“This disorder, violence and destruction has no place here in Merseyside, least of all after the tragic events that took place in Southport on Monday.
“Our priority throughout has been the safety of the public, and officers have put themselves in harm’s way in order to protect the wider community and I am incredibly proud of the bravery, resilience and professionalism they have displayed today.
“Those officers were met with shameful levels of violence and attempts at provocation by a number of those present.
“We can confirm two officers have been taken to hospital, one with a suspected broken nose and another with a suspected broken jaw.
“We have already arrested six people aged between 29 and 58 on suspicion of offences including violent disorder and criminal damage and that number will increase.
Assistant Chief Constable Sims added: “The aggressive and abusive behaviour of large groups today will never be tolerated and is being dealt with robustly.
“Those who engaged in this behaviour bring nothing but shame to themselves and this city. Their behaviour does not represent the good people of Merseyside, and any attempts to drive division amongst our communities in the wake of a heinous tragedy will not succeed.
“I would urge anyone minded to continue to carry out such disorder to think long and hard. We are gathering bodycam, CCTV and camera phone evidence, and anyone involved in today’s disorder can expect to face the full force of the law.”
Merseyside Police attend violent disorder in Walton following protests.
Merseyside Police confirm there is a significant police presence on County Road in Walton as a result of people being involved in serious violent disorder this evening.
Merseyside Police officers were deployed to the area following information about a planned disorder close to a mosque.
Shortly after 9pm, a number of people including youths began throwing objects at police vehicles.
A wheelie bin was also set alight and extinguished by Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service.
A section of County Road is closed while police deal with the incident and to ensure the safety of local residents and businesses.
A Section 60 order is in place across Liverpool this evening, until 8.40pm on Sunday, giving officers extra powers to stop and search people suspected of carrying weapons or planning criminality.
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said:
“The people who have brought such aggression and destruction into the heart of our communities do not represent the people of Merseyside, and they certainly do not honour the memory of those three young girls whose lives were taken so tragically on Monday.
“They have instead attacked and in many cases caused serious injury to police officers who come to work every day to protect the public.
“They have brought fear into residential streets, targeted local businesses providing a vital service to our communities, and damaged personal property and infrastructure in the city.
“This is disgraceful and people who live, work and visit Merseyside do not want it to continue, and we will not tolerate it.
“A number of those involved this evening were youths and we are urging parents and guardians to make sure they know where their children are, to protect them and others from harm.
Anyone with information about criminality and disorder is asked to DM @MerPolCC, message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook’ or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111. .
