MERSEYSIDE Police are continuing to appeal for footage and information after 53 Police Officers were hurt during disorder involving hundreds of people on:- Tuesday 30 July 2024, in Southport, Merseyside.

Of the 53 injured, 49 were Merseyside Police Officers and 4 were Lancashire Police Officers. 8 sustained serious injuries including:- fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion and were treated in Hospital.

Other Officers suffered varying degrees of injury including:- head injuries, serious facial injuries and one was knocked unconscious.

Also, 3 Police Dogs were injured. After having bricks thrown at them, Police Dog Zoe sustained a laceration to her leg, has been stitched and is now resting, and PD Ike is recovering after sustaining a cut mouth and swelling to his front leg. PD Quga suffered burns to her back leg. A 4th dog, PD Repo, was spared injury after their handler kicked petrol away.

We are told that the disorder began at around:- 7.45 pm, and that the crowd had dispersed by around midnight.

A total of 4 males have been arrested and taken into custody:-

• A 31 year old man from St Helens was arrested on suspicion of Violent Disorder.
   
• A 31 year old man from West Derby, Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of Violent Disorder.
   
• A 39 year old man from Southport was arrested on suspicion of Violent Disorder.
   
• A 32 year old man from Manchester with a probation address in Southport was arrested on suspicion of Affray and Possession of a bladed article.

Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said:- "I know the wider community is as shocked as we are about the abhorrent events of last night. Through the night there has been a tremendous effort by members of the public who came out to help clean up the streets, using hose pipes and brushes and donating food and dog food to Officers to restore the pride and respect they have for their Town. Partner agencies, including Sefton Council, were also deployed to help clean up the damage left by those involved. We have been overwhelmed with messages of thanks from the community, and I know I speak on behalf of all those Officers there last night when I say how grateful we all are for their support. We were joined by colleagues from:- Greater Manchester Police, Cheshire Police, Lancashire Police and North Wales Police who also provided mutual aid and support, and I want to thank them publicly for their assistance. Sadly, 49 Merseyside Officers and 4 Lancashire Officers were injured in their efforts to prevent further disorder and protect the public. The wanton violence and destruction we saw is the very last thing the people of Southport need having been rocked by the awful events of Monday. The disrespect toward grieving families and the community is despicable, and I want to reassure residents in Southport that we will have a significantly increased police presence in the Town in the coming days. We would appeal to anyone who has information or video footage of those involved in this shocking behaviour to come forward so we can identify and arrest those responsible. Finally, I want to make this absolutely clear: anyone who intends to cause future damage and harm to our communities will be dealt with robustly, using all our available powers. There are extensive plans and resources in place to quickly deal with anyone intent on causing disorder over the coming days. We will look to bring to justice every person who is identified committing criminal damage and acts of violence against our Officers and our communities. The Section 60 order will be rigorously enforced to move people on who are attending the area to commit such offences. Anyone with information can DM @MerPolCC or contact Crimestoppers on:- 0800555111."

 

In a statement issued to the media Chris McGlade, Chair of Merseyside Police Federation, said:- "Merseyside is reeling from an unimaginable tragedy. An incident that has left us all shocked as human beings. We are equally shocked as Police Officers. The very same courageous Officers who are themselves trying to come to terms with what has happened in Southport this week came under a sustained and vicious attack last night. It is utterly disgusting that more than 50 Police Officers were injured. Brave colleagues have been left with fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion. I utterly condemn the actions of these mindless and violent thugs; and they will be brought to justice for their actions. The Federation are supporting our injured colleagues at this horrific time and send them our best wishes; as I know the rest of the country will do. Police Officers are not robots. We are mothers and fathers. Sons and daughters. Husbands, wives and partners. We should be going home at the end of our shifts. Not to Hospital!"

 

'Violent thugs' on streets of Southport

 

SOUTHPORT was targeted by thugs following a peaceful vigil on:- Tuesday, 30 July 2024. Merseyside Police have said:- "We can confirm Officers are dealing with a disturbance during a protest in Southport this evening. At around 7.45 pm, a large group of people; believed to be supporters of the English Defence League; began to throw items towards a local mosque on St Luke’s Road in Southport. Officers who are deployed are currently dealing with criminal behaviour and violence with bottles and wheelie bins being thrown at them. As a result, an Officer has suffered a suspected broken nose and police vehicles have been damaged and set alight. Additional patrols are now in attendance, including the Dog Section."

 

Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss added:- "It is sickening to see this happening within a community that has been devastated by the tragic loss of three young lives. In the last 24 hours, we have seen overwhelming support and sympathy from the community and wider Merseyside communities for the families who are currently trying to deal with their loss and care for victims injured during the major incident. Yesterday, our Officers and other members of the emergency services were faced with one of the most difficult situations they will ever face. Tonight, they find themselves being attacked as they endeavor to prevent disorder. The actions in Southport tonight will involve many people who do not live in the Merseyside area or care about the people of Merseyside. There has been much speculation and hypothesis around the status of a 17 year old male who is currently in police custody and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets. We have already said that the person arrested as born in the UK and speculation helps nobody at this time. Our Officers should not have to face this, but we will be there tonight to ensure the safety of the local community who have suffered enough, and will arrest those involved in criminal behaviour."
 

  

If you have any information on this incident or saw what happened, please contact our social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre'.
 

   

 
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800555111, or via their online form at:-: Crimestoppers-UK.Org.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has also said:- "Frankly the scenes of thuggery we have seen on the streets of Southport this evening bear no relation to the way the Southport community has been coming together to support each other and to support grieving families."



What also shocked us was a drown flying near the Police Helicopter as you can see on the photo.