Four teenagers have been arrested following a series of incidents in Netherton and Litherland, including an assault on a shopkeeper that left the victim with cuts to his face and hand. Merseyside Police has introduced a Section 60 order in response to the events, which took place on the evening of October 2.
Incidents Reported in Litherland and Netherton
Police received a report shortly before 6pm on Friday that a group of boys, six on bikes and many with their faces covered, had been harassing a taxi driver on Pendle Drive, Litherland. It was reported they had racially abused the driver and one kicked the vehicle, damaging it.
In a separate incident, just after 7pm the same night, it was reported a gang of boys were throwing stones at the shutters of Stanley Wines, on Dale Acre Drive, in Netherton. One then entered the store and damaged an internal door before they left on bikes and on foot.
Shopkeeper Assaulted at Booze Xtra
Shortly after at 7.25pm, a shopkeeper at Booze Xtra in Marian Square was assaulted by a youth – who was among a gang of other youths – after he challenged one of the group for stealing items. The victim sustained cuts to his face and hand, and the gang then reportedly kicked and damaged the front of the shop.
Officers attended and four boys aged 13, 14 and 15 from Netherton, and a 15-year-old from Bootle, were arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and racially/religiously aggravated criminal damage. They were taken into custody to be questioned. Enquiries are ongoing with forensic and CCTV enquiries being carried out.
Section 60 Order Introduced
A/Inspector Dave Shaw said: “The behaviour seen last night is completely unacceptable. We simply will not tolerate groups of youths making life miserable for people living and working in our community, trying to go about their daily lives and trying to earn a living.”
“Our enquiries into the incident are ongoing and I would like to reassure the public that we are determined to ensure all those responsible are brought to justice.”
“We are also committed to doing everything in our power to prevent such incidents from happening, and have introduced this Section 60 Order is to disrupt those who are willing to use aggression, violence and direct abuse at people in our communities.”
“I would urge our communities to continue reporting such incidents and anyone you know is involved so that we can take robust action against suspects and introduce measures to protect the wider public from the harm they are determined to inflict.”
A Section 60 Order (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) was introduced at 1.30pm today (October 3) and will remain in place until 1.30pm tomorrow (October 4). It gives officers additional powers to search vehicles and people who are suspected of involvement in criminality and disorder.
It also includes a Section 60aa authorisation, meaning failure to remove a face covering when asked by an officer who believes it is being used for the purpose of concealing identity could result in arrest. Any face covering can also be seized by a police officer.
The location covered by the authorisation includes the Pendle Estate and Marian Square area. It is bounded by Ormskirk Road, Park Lane, Bridle Road, Bailey Drive, Linacre Lane, Crosby Road South, Cambridge Road, Brook Vale, Perimeter of Rimrose Valley Country Park down to Lydiate Lane, Northern Perimeter Road to Switch Island.
Anyone with information about antisocial behaviour and criminality should contact Merseyside Police social media desk using X or Facebook @MerPolCC. You can also report information via their website or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website. In an emergency always call 999.
