The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that military police officers seen in Liverpool city centre last weekend were on a routine patrol. The officers, from the Royal Military Police, were photographed on Wood Street in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Social media speculation
The presence of the scarlet beret and fatigues-wearing men sparked interest and questions on social media after being shared by Liverpool Guardians, a volunteer street patrol group. The group posted on Instagram: "Bit of a random one...around 2am we spotted the Military Police walking up Wood Street in full uniform. Definitely not something you see every day in Liverpool."
Speculation about why the officers were there ranged from "looking for AWOL squaddies" to off-duty armed forces members being in the city.
MoD explanation
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said the pictures were taken during a "routine" Home Office police force (HOPF) liaison and serving community patrolling activity. The two men were junior non-commissioned officers from the 1st Regiment Royal Military Police.
The spokesperson said: "In consultation with their shift commander and in line with regimental engagement priorities for HOPF liaison, the patrol liaised with Merseyside Police and conducted a short patrol in Liverpool city centre. The city sits within the 1st Regiment Royal Military Police patrol matrix, given its proximity to Dale Barracks in Chester and the number of infantry training centre recruits that originate from this area."
The MoD added that while the Royal Military Police are not often in Liverpool, the activity was routine and part of ongoing efforts to support the service community and reinforce professional working relationships with Merseyside Police.
