Live updates as police condemn 'despicable' scenes of violence (2024)

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Keir Starmer says: “I won’t shy away from calling it what it is - far right thuggery”

Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted those who "feel targeted because of the colour of their skin" to know "this violent mob do not represent our country, and we will bring them to justice".
The Prime Minister said: "There is no justification, none, for taking this action. And all right-minded people should be condemning this assault of violence.
"People in this country have a right to be safe. And yet we've seen Muslim communities targeted, attacks on mosques.
"Other minority communities singled out, Nazi salutes in the street, attacks on the police, wanton violence alongside racist rhetoric, so no, I won't shy away from calling it what it is: far-right thuggery.
"To those who feel targeted because of the colour of your skin or your faith, I know how frightening this must be.
"I want you to know that this violent mob do not represent our country, and we will bring them to justice.
"Our police deserve our support as they tackle any and all violent disorder that flares up. Whatever the apparent cause or motive, motivation, we make no distinction: crime is crime, and this Government will tackle it." Read the full story here.

33 arrests after 'violence and disorder' hits Liverpool

Thirty three people have been arrested following a riot on County Road on Saturday night into the early hours of Sunday. Merseyside Police has also confirmed it has introduced two section 60 orders in Liverpool and Southport after shops were looted, Spellow Library was torched and officers were attacked.

The orders were put in place at 2pm today (Sunday, August 4) and will run for a 12 hour period until 2am on Monday. They have been introduced in a bid to prevent further incidents across the region on Sunday night. The Section 60 Order of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, give officers powers to stop and search people in order to prevent serious violence.

Read the full story here.

Man 'loses thousands' after thugs smash and loot shop in County Road riot

A man whose shop was targeted in riots on County Road says he has lost thousands of ounds and worries he may have to stay away from the area. Following a disturbance in the city centre in the afternoon, rioters descended on Walton on Saturday (August 3) evening, causing major damage in what police described as "serious violent disorder".

Among the businesses affected was King Store, a newsagent on County Road. Shop owner Ardalan Othman, who lives in the Walton area, told the ECHO that he has lost thousands and thinks he may have to stay away from the area.

Ardalan said: "I was at home at the time. I had shut the shop by 11pm, but I saw it on my CCTV, they broke in, took cash, vapes, cigarettes, many things. They broke the windows to get in - people kept coming in.

"I then went there and stayed in the shop all night, I've been cleaning and sweeping all night. I'm feeling terrible - I don't know how to explain it.

"When I got to the shop, people were coming up to me and laughing in my face, laughing that stock had been taken. They were all laughing, they all had big bags and ran away from the shop with them full. It's how they came in and how they were laughing. I don't understand." Read the full story here.

"Members of the community who care, were here first thing to pick up the pieces"

No shock this morning that these people, longstanding members of the community who care, were here first thing to pick up the pieces of last night’s despicable chaos on County Road.

Similar scenes to Southport, these are the people that suffer from this violence and disorder. pic.twitter.com/kqqgGGLQZg

— Ben Roberts-Haslam (@benhaslm) August 4, 2024

Merseyside rioters 'will be brought to justice'

Thugs involved in rioting and disorder on the streets of Merseyside will 'be brought to justice' with plans for courts to sit for 24-hours a day in a bid to stamp out far-right violence in this region and around the country.

Despicable scenes in Southport on Tuesday evening were followed by shocking acts of violence, vandalism and arson in Liverpool city centre and in Walton on Saturday. There was also widespread disorder in towns and cities around the country yesterday.

Merseyside Police has said it will be continuing to track down those involved in the rioting in Liverpool and Southport and has vowed that they will face the full force of the law. Today, Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said all efforts will be made to bring these people to justice.

Government ministers have met with senior figures in the country's judiciary for emergency talks following this weekend's country-wide riots, with reports suggesting a plan is being put in place that will see Magistrates' courts sitting for 24-hours-a-day to deal with processing a huge number of arrests. Read the full story here.

'Nazis burn books - these have gone one step further and burnt a library'

Looters targeted businesses, bins were used to start fires and the Spellow Library and Community Hub was set alight. Flames were visible inside the building within minutes.

On Sunday morning, a clean-up operation began. The Spellow Hub was boarded up, with debris and significant damage visible inside.

County Road residents told the ECHO of their sadness at the night of violence. Debbie Stokes said: "We had visitors over and they couldn’t get home - there were no buses or taxis.

"How scary it must have been for people living above these shops. This didn’t happen in my name. I’m disgusted to see what happened with the library. Nazis burn books - these have gone one step further and burnt a library." Read the full story here.

Rioters looted King Store on County Road

Another business targeted by rioters on County Road was King Store. Images from last night show crowds breaking into the shutters. This morning, photographs show inside has been ransacked.

A shop worker at King Store told the ECHO this morning that around £20,000 worth of damage and stock has been stolen. He also had put canary birds in the shop which have been taken.

Locals attempt to clean up the streets

After riots destroyed local businesses and property on County Road last night, some locals have been out this morning trying to clean up. One man, called Andy Stokes, said: "I’ve lived off county road 20-30 years - I’ve never seen anything like this."

Debbie Stokes added: "I feel sorry for people who don’t feel safe. We’ve walked up and down with the intention of asking anybody do they need help. I want to let them know that we don’t all feel the same way as the rioters.

"We’ve already seen the more positive side of the community. Cups of tea, cups of coffee being given out. We offered to make drinks for the workman. I’m really sad."

Liverpool leaders condemn scenes of 'despicable, mindless thuggery' across city

Liverpool's leaders have condemned the 'despicable, mindless thuggery' that saw riots break out across the city centre and Walton yesterday and last night. Shameful scenes saw police officers attacked on The Strand, while shops were ransacked and a community library was set on fire in Country Road.

The city is today counting the cost of the chaos and violence that spread across Liverpool yesterday. Twenty three arrests were made during the day across Merseyside and more are expected to follow - with a number of officers injured in the violence.

Rioting spilled out into the city's main shopping areas, including Church Street after a 'Save Our Kids' demonstration near the Liver Building at 2pm. In the afternoon crowds gathered at the Pier Head, police arrived in riot vans and police dogs descended on the area. Bricks, bottles and other items were seen being thrown towards police with several officers badly injured, including a motorcycle officer attacked by cowards who fled the scene.

In the evening, people began to assemble near County Road Mosque in Walton at around 8.30pm after far-right social media channels had called for a gathering. Police closed off parts of County Road after large numbers of people engaged in further "serious violent disorder" - with the Spellow Library set on fire and several shops looted and ransacked. Read the full story here.

Police update after 300 people involved in violent disorder in Walton

Merseyside Police issued a statement after rioting broke out in Liverpool. The chaos started when people began to assemble near County Road Mosque on the Walton street at around 8.30pm. Far-right social media channels had called for people to gather there during the evening. A section 60 order is now in place in the Liverpool Council area giving police increased powers to stop and search people to prevent further disorder.

Police put out the following statement:

The Spellow Lane Library Hub, which was opened last year to provide a much needed one stop shop for one of the most deprived communities in the country, has suffered severe damage to the ground floor. When firefighters arrived those gathered tried to stop them, without success, from getting to the fire to put it out. They even threw a missile at the fire engine and broke the rear window of the cab.

Also set on fire was a local convenience store which provides a vital service for the community, earlier a number of people had entered the shop en masse and stolen a number of items including the till. Other shops were broken into and a number of wheelie bins and industrial bins were set on fire.During the day 23 arrests were made. Twelve people were arrested for the disorder in the city centre, nine people were arrested for the disorder on County Road and two people were arrested in connection with disorder in Southport.

Library building fire

The blaze at Spellow Hub is targeting a community facility aimed at helping people in the local area. Very sad scenes this evening - the full story is here

Fire at Spellow Hub

There are flames visible inside the Spellow Hub, a library which reopened last year and provides support for people of all abilities to gain education and a path to employment.

A number of people were seen attempting to force their way inside the building before the fire was set.

Two police helicopters up

Two police helicopters are circling above the scene on County Road. A number of businesses in the area have been targeted by groups of people involved in the disorder

Police say 11 now arrested

Police have just released an update to say that 11 people have now been arrested over today's disorder.

More fireworks set off as groups pushed back

Police have pushed a large number of people further back down County Road, but there are now reportedly a large number of fireworks being set off in the road

Fires and looting on County Road

Police have pushed a number of people further down the road in a bid to clear the area, but a number of fires continue to burn on the street and fireworks have been set off. A group also appeared to be looting a mini mart outside the police cordon

Scenes from County Road as disorder continues

Police statement on County Road

Police have issued a statement after the scenes on County Road this evening.

It states: We can 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 (Friday, 2 August).

"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."

Police forming line across County Road

Police close off County Road and parts of city centre

Police have closed off Walton's County Road after several incidents of disorder close to a mosque. Police were in attendance this evening ahead of a planned gathering near the County Road mosque.

The road was comparatively quiet at around the planned time, but more people gathered and there have been clashes with police and bottles and bricks thrown. A number of skips and bins were reported to have been set alight in the street, with fire engines rushing to the scene.

In the city centre, people reported being locked down in the Odeon cinema at Liverpool ONE, and there were also reports of bricks being thrown towards the John Lewis store and fireworks being set off at around 9.30pm

Police confirm arrests and officers taken to hospital

Two police officers were taken to hospital and six arrests have been made so far, police have just confirmed.

Police issued an update at 8.24pm, confirming the injuries to their officers and several incidents of violence and vandalism. Their statement said: "We condemn in the strongest possible terms the violence and disorder that happened in Liverpool city centre today."

The full story is here.

Latest updates on Saturday evening

• Serious disorder hit Liverpool for several hours, with objects thrown at police and officers injured
• Looting took place at a phone shop in Church Street
• A motorcycle officer was shown being attacked by people who fled the scene
• Council and police chiefs have hit out at the shameful scenes
• The Strand has been reopened and hard-working council staff have cleaned up the damage caused today

'Shops and businesses locked down'

A number of shops and businesses are reported to be closing their doors at the moment as there continue to be scenes of disorder in the city centre. Several people have told us cinema-goers at the Liverpool ONE Odeon have been told they are unable to leave at present.

A customer who contacted the ECHO said: "I am currently inside odeon Liverpool one and it is locked down, staff won't say why and everyone has been told to get into a screen and stay out of the foyer."

Phone shop ransacked

Thugs ransacked a phone shop on Church Street as the disorder spread throughout the city centre for a period this afternoon.

We spoke to a worker at fixPHONE who said it will take a month to tackle the damage done.

Police motorcycle officer attacked on the Strand

Footage from above the scene of disorder on the Strand has captured the moment a police motorcycle officer was attacked.

It's drawn condemnation from many on social media - two men were involved.

Police presence continues in city centre

Police continue to have a presence in Liverpool city centre after early protests turned violent on The Strand.

A Section 60 Order was introduced earlier, meaning extra officers will be in the area to provide a visible presence to reassure communities. It has been introduced to prevent incidents of disorder and criminality.

The Order, under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, gives officers enhanced powers to stop and search individuals in the area and is designed to prevent serious violence. The area incorporates Liverpool city centre and also includes areas of Kensington and Toxteth.

Those engaging in violent disorder "will pay the price"

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those engaging in violent disorder "will pay the price."

She said: "Criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain's streets."

She added: "We've been clear to the police that they have our full backing in taking the strongest possible action against perpetrators, including making sure that there are more prosecutors, there are sufficient prison places and also that the courts stand ready because anyone who engages in this kind of disorder needs to be clear that they will pay the price."

Sir Keir Starmer said police have the Government's "full support"

Sir Keir Starmer said police have the Government's "full support" to take action against "extremists" attacking officers and attempting to "sow hate" as he held crisis talks with ministers over the violence across parts of England. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she would work with forces to help ensure "consequences, arrests and prosecutions" for those responsible.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "This afternoon the Prime Minister convened senior Ministers including the Deputy Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Justice Secretary and the Policing Minister to discuss the incidents of public disorder and unrest we have seen in towns and cities in recent days.

"The Prime Minister began by thanking the police who responded to the violence committed by a small minority of thugs in Sunderland last night which injured four officers. Addressing the scenes of disorder we have seen today, the Prime Minister set out that the police have our full support to take action against extremists on our streets who are attacking police officers, disrupting local businesses and attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities."

They added: "The Prime Minister ended by saying the right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things. He said there is no excuse for violence of any kind and reiterated that the government backs the police to take all necessary action to keep our streets safe."

Reports of incidents on Church Street

The ECHO understands that some shops on Church Street were "locked down" as incidents took place.

We'll have updates from the major shopping street as well as information from police as and when we get it

City centre roads reopened

We can confirm that roads in the city have now reopened following serious disorder in the city centre this afternoon. We would like to thank local residents, motorist, visitors and businesses in the city centre for their patience and understanding pic.twitter.com/eIon4Nt0Rg

— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) August 3, 2024