Four more teenagers have been arrested in connection with a mass brawl at Heswall Bus Station, bringing the total number of arrests to seven. The incident, which took place on July 4, left two boys with injuries believed to have been caused by a bladed weapon.
Emergency services were called to the station on Telegraph Road at around 6.35pm after a fight broke out involving a group of teenagers. Police found two boys with injuries, one to his chest and the other to his finger, believed to have been inflicted with a bladed weapon. Both boys were taken to hospital for treatment.
Latest arrests
Merseyside Police confirmed in an update on Friday, August 28, that four further arrests were made the previous day. A 15-year-old boy from New Ferry was arrested on suspicion of Section 18 wounding, affray, and possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs, namely cocaine and cannabis. A 15-year-old boy from Neston was arrested on suspicion of Section 18 wounding and affray. A 16-year-old boy from Neston was arrested on suspicion of Section 18 wounding and affray. A 15-year-old boy from Rock Ferry was arrested on suspicion of Section 18 wounding and affray.
Previously, three teenage boys had been arrested in connection with the incident. A 15-year-old boy from Birkenhead was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article, Section 18 wounding with intent and affray. A 17-year-old boy from Tranmere was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article, Section 18 wounding with intent and affray. A 15-year-old boy from Tranmere was arrested on suspicion of Section 18 wounding with intent.
Witness accounts
The brawl is thought to have taken place shortly after a bus arrived at the station, and the ECHO was previously told more than one blade was used in the fight. Following the stabbings, the large group of teens are said to have scattered, using side streets to get away from the scene. Steve Shakeshaft said one heroic man, thought to be in his 40s, "wrestled one of the boys to the ground" before kneeling on him and "kicking the knife away". The knife was described as "large", with other knives present during the fight that unfolded just a few hundred metres from bustling bars and restaurants on the road which runs through the village.
Another man, who works in a nearby takeaway, told the ECHO he and his co-workers ran out of the takeaway to see what had happened when police descended on the main road in the middle of the quiet village in Wirral. He said: "We saw [a boy] getting taken out and into an ambulance; there was a lot of blood. Police looked like they arrested some boys and two girls."
When the ECHO visited the scene, the bus station was cordoned off while a forensic officer worked inside an inner cordon, laying several evidence markers on the floor. Two buses remained inside the cordon, the number 22 and an out of service vehicle. One man who works nearby also explained how he saw one woman, thought to have been outside the Johnny Pye pub at the rear of the station on Pye Road, run to the scene with a first aid kit and help one of the teens stabbed in the brawl.
Police appeal
All seven arrested individuals remain on conditional bail while police enquiries continue. Detective Superintendent Joe Marston said: "We have now made seven arrests following this incident, which left two teenagers with injuries consistent with a bladed weapon and would have been distressing for anyone who witnessed it.
"Despite the significant progress already made, we continue to make enquiries into what took place to ensure all those involved are held to account for their actions. Knives have no place in our communities and can have tragic consequences, not only for the victim and their family but also for the offenders involved. If you have any information on this incident, including information on those involved, we want to hear from you. I would urge people to educate themselves and speak to their children and family members about the dangers of knife crime."
Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X or Facebook @MerPolCC with reference 26000537879. Information can also be reported via the force's website or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
