Liverpool riots: Families flee Disney Princess cruise ship as police officer suffers broken jaw
Merseyside Police said a number of police officers were injured tackling serious disorder in Liverpool city centre because thugs threw bricks and other missiles at them
Families had to flee a historic waterfront when protests descended into "completely unacceptable" riots today.
Parents who brought their kids to see the Disney Princess cruise ship docked near Liverpool’s Pier Head had to run away from anarchy which put them at risk. A number of people set off fire extinguishers and threw various items, including bricks and bottles, at police officers. An officer on a police motorbike was pushed from his bike and assaulted amid two protests - one organised by a far-right group and another planned by a counter group.
Approximately 750 people were in each group and, as tensions escalated and moved across the city, a kiosk in a shopping centre and a phone shop were damaged, broken into and looted. Two police officers have been taken to hospital for treatment, including one with a suspected broken jaw. Six people, whose ages range from 29 to 58, have so far been arrested.
Police officers are pictured wearing riot gear and holding batons in Liverpool ( Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, who led today’s policing operation, said: “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.
A man hurls a brick at officers in the city amid the disorder ( Image: PA)
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."
A stock image of a Disney cruise ( Image: Disney Cruise Line)
Protests turned ugly elsewhere across the country, including in Hull, Manchester and Belfast as misinformation spouted online has led far-right yobs to wrongly believe the 17-year-old suspect in the Southport stabbings is an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat. Police, though, have said such "aggressive and abusive behaviour" - when protests become riots - is "completely unacceptable".
Asst Ch Cons 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.
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