He said the force has faced “serious violence” in the Merseyside town, and he was “so proud to have witnessed off-duty officers parade back on duty to support their colleagues who had displayed such courage whilst under constant and sustained attack.”... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
ACC Goss also thanked officers from Greater Manchester Police, Cheshire Police, Lancashire Police, and North Wales Police for providing mutual aid and support.
He added the disorder involved many people “who do not live in the Merseyside area or care about the people of Merseyside”.
“Sadly, offenders have destroyed garden walls so they could use the bricks to attack our officers and have set cars belonging to the public on fire, and damaged cars parked in the Mosque car park,” he said.
“This is no way to treat a community, least of all a community that is still reeling from the events of Monday.”
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after Monday’s attack on a children’s dance club in Hart Street.
ACC Goss said: “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 was born in the UK, and speculation helps nobody at this time.”
PM Sir Keir Starmer said on X that the people of Southport were “reeling” after the “horror inflicted on them yesterday”.
He said that those who had “hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery” had insulted the community and would “feel the full force of the law”.
Families living nearby told the BBC they feared for their safety as stones flew past and police officers rushed to put on riot gear and pick up shields.
“I can’t believe this is happening in Southport,” one young woman shouted from the front of her car as she tried to drive her young daughter away.
The disorder began after hundreds of people gathered near a local mosque attacking the front of it, throwing bricks, bottles, fireworks, and rocks, many with hoods up and scarves hiding their faces.
PM Sir Keir Starmer said on X that the people of Southport were “reeling” after the “horror inflicted on them yesterday”.
He said that those who had “hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery” had insulted the community and would “feel the full force of the law”.
Families living nearby told the BBC they feared for their safety as stones flew past and police officers rushed to put on riot gear and pick up shields.
“I can’t believe this is happening in Southport,” one young woman shouted from the front of her car as she tried to drive her young daughter away.
The disorder began after hundreds of people gathered near a local mosque attacking the front of it, throwing bricks, bottles, fireworks, and rocks, many with hoods up and scarves hiding their faces.
Merseyside Police said those behind the violence had been fired up by social media posts which incorrectly suggested an Islamist link to Monday’s stabbings.
The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper had earlier warned about disinformation linked to the attack.
The suspect has no known links to Islam.
Ms. Cooper later said it was “appalling” that police officers in Southport were facing attacks from “thugs on the streets who have no respect for a grieving community”.
“I think everyone should be showing some respect for the community that is grieving and also for the police who are pursuing an urgent criminal investigation now, and who showed such heroism and bravery yesterday in the face of these horrific attacks,” she said.
In a statement on X, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell also said she was “absolutely appalled by the disgraceful scenes of violence”.
“This is a community which has faced unimaginable tragedy, and it is grieving.
“Such behavior is abhorrent and only causes further harm and suffering,” she added.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy posted on X that more than 1,000 residents from Southport had come together at the vigil to remember the little girls who had died, those who were still critical in hospital, and all those who witnessed and were traumatized by the events from yesterday.
“This is where all of our focus should be,” she said.
The Liverpool Region Mosque Network said the violent scenes were “causing further fear and anxiety within our communities”.
It added: “We must all unite and stand together against all forms of hate, violence and division.”
Southport MP Patrick Hurley said he was “deeply concerned about reports of violent protests tonight”.
He said they involved “people from outside our Southport community attacking our police and local people”.
