Top cop's 'hardest day of service' as officers lay injured in Southport disorder
Merseyside’s top police officer has spoken of her “hardest day of service” after dozens of officers were injured during the summer riots in Southport and Liverpool. Chief Constable Serena Kennedy told a meeting of the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) scrutiny panel how almost 90 officers were injured when disorder broke out in July and August.
In the aftermath of the deaths of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, disorder gripped the streets of Southport as well as on County Road in Walton and the Strand in Liverpool city centre. The total number of people arrested in relation to the violence across the region now stands at 112, with 72 charged and 55 sentenced to a combined total of 116 years and four months.
Addressing Emily Spurrell, Merseyside PCC, during a meeting at Mann Island this afternoon, Chief Constable Kennedy said the response to the outbreak of anti-social behaviour had involved “more than just policing” and paid tribute to other forces who had supported Merseyside teams with mutual aid during the “dreadful time.” She said how walking into Southport police station in the immediate aftermath of the initial outbreak of disorder to see officers receiving triage care from North West Ambulance teams had been her “hardest day of service” but she had been encouraged to see that scene has since been replaced by cards of thanks from members of the community.
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The Chief Constable said how on the Tuesday following the death of the three girls in Southport, 70 officers were injured, with a further 15 hurt on the following Saturday - including some from neighbouring Lancashire Police. Of those attacked, eight sustained serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion and were treated in hospital.
One officer was knocked unconscious while four police service dogs were also hurt. Chief Constable Kennedy said of those, one has had to be retired.
Mrs Spurrell added how she felt the response to the violence from police had been “impressive and second to none” and expressed her gratitude to officers for their effort to deal with the “horrific behaviour” seen on the streets during the summer. Merseyside Police is continuing to investigate those involved in the scenes in July and August, with a 12-year-old boy from Anfield being charged with violent disorder in Walton and burglary, and will appear at youth court in October.
Another 12-year-old was handed a 12-month referral order in Liverpool Youth Court last week, while the oldest offender, William Morgan, 69, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to two years and eight months for his role in the disturbances last month.