Residents of Waterloo, Merseyside, have described the area as a 'madhouse' when the sun comes out, following a stabbing early Sunday morning. A man in his 20s was stabbed in the stomach during a street fight on South Road, near the junction with Church Road. The victim remains in hospital in a stable condition.
Residents speak out on 'mayhem'
Scott Bradshaw, 46, a local resident, told the Liverpool Echo: 'When the sun comes out it becomes a madhouse. It’s a magnet for people from miles around. Armies of teenagers spill out of the station, and, down on the front, there are people everywhere.' He added that alcohol, sun, and sea create a 'hotbed for trouble.'
Beverley Lloyd, 65, described Waterloo as 'absolute bedlam' during hot weather. She said: 'It is mayhem for me as a resident living here all my life. There's gangs of children everywhere, and I don't bother coming out.' She called for more high-visibility police patrols.
Police powers and arrests
Police had implemented a Section 60 stop-and-search order across much of Waterloo, Crosby, and Blundellsands the day before the stabbing. Over the weekend, officers conducted 32 stop-searches and made five arrests, including a 19-year-old man from Liverpool arrested on suspicion of possessing a knife in a public place after two men were seen with a machete near Crosby beach on Friday, June 26.
A dispersal zone was also introduced along the Crosby coast on Friday night due to reports of anti-social behaviour, drug use, and dangerous driving. Despite these measures, the stabbing occurred in the early hours of Sunday. The Section 60 order was extended into Monday in response.
Community concerns
Austin Davey, 75, noted an increase in high-speed bikes and crowds: 'The last few years has changed mainly with these high-speed bikes, and crowds and crowds of kids are coming off the train.' He said the bikes travel at 'a hell of a speed, trying to intimidate people.'
Collette Rowan, 47, described the influx of young people as 'like a football crowd or a Grand National crowd,' making her think twice about coming to the area.
Police appeal
Detective Inspector Edward Barr said: 'We are continuing to investigate after a man suffered a serious injury on South Road. Following enquiries it was reported that the offender made off towards Home Bargains and we are appealing to anyone who was on South Road at around 1.45am to get in touch with police.' He added that knife crime 'will not be tolerated' and urged anyone with information to come forward.
Council response
A Sefton Council spokesperson said: 'Anti-social behaviour is unacceptable and affects residents’ quality of life. There is a Public Spaces Protection Order in place that covers coastal and visitor areas, including Waterloo, which is designed to place restrictions on anti-social behaviour.' They encouraged reporting incidents via 101 or online.
