Fines issued and 13 arrests following protest gathering in Liverpool City Centre
Photographs with thanks to Dave Evens, Bond Media Agency.

WE are told that 13 people were arrested on suspicion of offences including public order offences and breaches of Coronavirus legislation and 25 Fixed Penalty Notices for breach of Covid Legislation, along with 10 Dispersal Notices. Chief Supt Waine added:- "This Pandemic has, understandably, left many fearful of contracting and passing on Coronavirus. The sight of a large group in the City Centre will alarm many who are now well aware of the risk large groups can pose to the spreading of this virus. We introduced a Section 34 Dispersal Zone, within the City Centre, and deployed significant resources into the City to ensure we could deal with this gathering, encouraging those involved to disperse and taking enforcement action against those committing flagrant breaches of Covid Legislation; particularly those suspected to have organised the gathering. Their actions have posed a significant risk to public health, and we will continue to study CCTV and bodycam to identify offenders and bring them to justice. We have arrested 15 people so far and dispersed many more. Our Officers; deployed to encourage people to do the right thing and to carry our enforcement to protect the public; have been subjected to mindless abuse from many of those gathered, but continued to carry out their duties with complete professionalism. I want to take this opportunity to thank the public, our partners, NHS staff, emergency services and our own frontline Officers, who are doing all they can to help protect us all. I know the vast majority of the public will support us as we continue to take action against those who choose to deliberately break the law."