'People are dying': Merseyside police chief lambasts Liverpool gathering as he warns coronavirus danger 'has not gone away'

He urged fans to "think of others and don't gather" adding: "The danger has not gone away"
Charlie Duffield27 June 2020

A top police chief has slammed Liverpool FC supporters for their "irresponsible and criminal” actions, warning them that the danger of coronavirus has not "gone away".

Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Andy Cooke said the behaviour of fans celebrating the club's Premier League triumph - which saw thousands gather at Pier Hard despite warnings about social distancing - had "potentially increased the danger of a further rise in the pandemic."

He urged fans to "think of others and don't gather", adding: "People are dying".

It came as Liverpool FC also condemned the behaviour of crowds of fans. Amid the chaos, the Liver Building was set alight as fireworks were launched.

Chief Constable Cooke said: "I have consistently communicated the dangers of mass gatherings throughout the pandemic and my colleagues have constantly during this time put themselves in danger to keep the public safe.

"Those who gathered last night have potentially increased the danger of a further rise in the pandemic. The actions of the minority were not only irresponsible but criminal."

He added that 15 people had been arrested and that the force would be trying to identify more suspects.

Mr Cooke said: "Last night children and families were present alongside others and heavy handed police intervention was therefore not appropriate at the time.

"Later on in the night, 15 people were arrested for violent disorder and my officers were subjected to a number of violent confrontations. This is not acceptable."

The chief constable, himself a Liverpool supporter, said CCTV was being examined to identify those responsible for criminal or anti-social behaviour and urged fans to wait until it was safe to celebrate the club’s first Premier League win in 30 years.

Eariler today, a joint statement on behalf of the club, Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Police said: “Our city is still in a public health crisis and this behaviour is wholly unacceptable.

“The potential danger of a second peak of Covid-19 still exists and we need to work together to make sure we don’t undo everything that has been achieved as a region during lockdown.

Liverpool fans let off flares outside the Liver Building in Liverpool
PA

“When it is safe to do so, we will all work together to arrange a victory parade when everyone can come together to celebrate.

“Until that time, the safety of our city and our people continues to be our number-one priority.”

Videos circulating on social media showed a firework hitting the Liver Building, which is partly owned by Everton FC majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, as fans celebrated the club’s first Premier League win in 30 years.

Four fire engines were sent to the building, where they extinguished a blaze on a balcony, a Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said.

Merseyside Police said the crowd developed quickly and officers had to close off side roads leading to the area for public safety.

The statement added: “We all understand that fans want to celebrate, but now is not the time. We need to get through this first, and know that it is safe, before any victory parade can go ahead.

“But rest assured, when the time is right the city can have a party and paint the town red, but we need to be patient for the safety of the public of Merseyside.”

Metro mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said: “The vast, vast majority of supporters followed the advice of the police, the club, the council, myself and others, to celebrate safely and at home. They deserve our praise and thanks for doing so.

“Unfortunately, a small minority of people did not listen to these pleas and instead chose to gather in public.

“In some cases, people behaved in a way that would be unacceptable even if we were not still grappling with a global pandemic.”

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