Fifteen people have been arrested after a riot outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.
Police were facilitating a peaceful protest and counter protest at the Suites Hotel at 6.30pm on Friday before the demonstration descended into violence.
A number of people unconnected with either group arrived at the scene a short while later whose sole intent is claimed to be on creating a disturbance.
Fireworks were thrown at on-duty officers while a police van was attacked with hammers before being set ablaze and rendered out of commission.
One officer from Merseyside Police and two members of the public suffered slight injuries during the ugly scenes, which gained global media attention.
Detectives have since confirmed that a total of 13 men and two women, aged between 13 and 54, have all been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “A number of individuals who turned up at the Suites Hotel last night were intent on using a planned protest to carry out violent and despicable behaviour.
“They turned up armed with hammers and fireworks to cause as much trouble as they could and their actions could have resulted in members of the public and police officers being seriously injured, or worse.
“Indeed, one of my officers was injured in the line of duty, as were a number of members of the public, and it is only through luck that no-one was more seriously injured or worse.
“A police van was also put of commission as a result of being set on fire.
“All of those arrested will now be questioned and we will continue to gather all evidence as part of this investigation and our officers are continuing to examine CCTV footage in a bid to identify anyone else involved.
“We understand that prior to this happening last night there were rumours, and misinformation, being circulated on social media following an incident earlier in the week.
“I am mindful of the risks that rumour and speculation bring and want to reassure the public that we are aware of an incident which happened at the beginning of the week and an investigation is ongoing.
“Detectives are investigating reports of an incident which occurred in Kirkby on Monday, when a man made inappropriate advances toward a teenage girl.
“This was reported by members of the public to police, but no victim was initially identified.
“Following enquiries, a man in his 20s, was arrested on Thursday, in another part of the country on suspicion of a public order offence.
“A file was submitted to the CPS and on their advice he was released with no further action.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that this is very much an ongoing investigation, and we would urge anyone who witnessed this incident, or who has any information, which could help us bring the offender to justice, to come forward.
“Violence is not the way to resolve this and we know that those involved in the violent activity last night used this as an excuse to commit violence and intimidate members of the public, who have a right to live their lives in peace and without fear.
“There is no excuse for the violence that was carried out last night and we will arrest anyone who fails to heed this advice.”
Pass all information on via @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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