Chaos erupted at a historic waterfront leading alarmed families to beat a hasty retreat as what started as protests spiraled into "completely unacceptable" riots today.
Visitors, including parents with kids excited to glimpse the Disney Princess cruise ship moored by Liverpool's Pier Head, were driven to escape a surge of mayhem that jeopardized their safety. The confrontation intensified as protesters unleashed fire extinguishers and hurled various projectiles like bricks and bottles at law enforcement.
The unrest reached a boiling point when an officer was knocked off his motorbike and attacked during dueling demonstrations one spearheaded by a far-right faction and the other by opposing activists.
An estimated 750 individuals from each faction faced off and, as hostility surged through the city streets, a shopping center kiosk and a mobile phone store suffered vandalism, break-ins, and looting. Two officers have been hospitalized for injuries sustained during the incident, one of them potentially facing a broken jaw.
Authorities reported that six people, spanning ages from 29 to 58, have been apprehended.
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Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, head of todays police operation, remarked: "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."
"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."
Police officers remain the city centre to monitor the situation, which started at around 2pm. Roads were closed to allow Merseyside Police to conduct their operation.
Asst Ch Cons Sims added: "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."
Protests took a violent turn in various parts of the country, including Hull, Manchester and Belfast. This was due to online misinformation that led far-right troublemakers to falsely assume that the 17 year old suspect in the Southport stabbings is an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK by boat.
However, the police have stated that such "aggressive and abusive behaviour" - when protests escalate into riots - is "completely unacceptable".
Assistant Chief Constable Sims continued: "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."
Anyone who has any concerns following today's events or has information to help identify those responsible can DM @MerPolCC or message Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook. Alternatively call 101 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
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