Summary
- Merseyside Police say a 53-year-old white British man has been arrested after a car drove into pedestrians in Water Street, Liverpool
- Police did not say whether the man is the suspected driver, and have warned people “not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding” the incident
- “I grabbed my daughter and dived out of the way,” says our reporter who was at the scene when people began screaming
- Thousands of people were on the city’s streets for Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade – the club has offered its full support to the emergency service
- It is not yet clear how many people have been injured, or to what extent – here’s everything we know so far
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the “scenes in Liverpool are appalling” and thanks emergency services for their swift response
Footage of incident ‘appalling’ – Merseyside Police
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell says footage of the incident in Liverpool is “appalling” and urges people not to speculate.
“The footage from tonight’s parade is shocking and appalling. My thoughts are with all those affected,” she says in a statement.
“A 53-year-old white British male from the Liverpool area has now been arrested. My thanks go to Merseyside Police and our emergency service partners who have responded so swiftly,” Spurrell continues.
“Updates will be provided as soon as possible. In the meantime, I’d urge people to please not speculate any further,” the statement adds.
The police are expected to give a news conference at about 22:30 – you’ll be able to watch and follow live on this page.
‘A car flew past me and my mate’ – eyewitness describes incident
One eyewitness has described the “frantic” moment a car ploughed into the crowds in Liverpool.
Peter Jones, 44, from the Isle of Man, attended the Premier League trophy parade and described the incident as “shocking”.
He says: “We were walking up Water Street, thousands around us.
“We heard a frantic beeping ahead, a car flew past me and my mate, people were chasing it and trying to stop him, windows smashed at the back.
“He then drove into people, police and medics ran past us, and people were being treated on the side of the road.
“There were a lot injured. We heard it behind us hit the crowds, then we saw half a dozen people [injured] in the road as we were walking up.”
“It was shocking. We’re back at our hotel now, in a bit of a shock.”
‘We have no reason as to why this incident took place’ – local MP says
Local Liverpool politicians have been sharing their reaction to what has happened this evening.
Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, has just been speaking on the phone to BBC Radio Merseyside and says she is “very shocked this incident has taken place”.
“If anyone does have any information – share it with police immediately,” she adds.
“We have no reason as to why this incident took place because the police are still undertaking their inquires.”
Earlier, Justin Madders, the Labour MP for Ellesmere Port and Bromborough, which lies just across the River Mersey, wrote: “This is appalling – a victory parade turned into such awful scenes – I hope everyone who needs it gets swift treatment and the police and emergency services are able to get on with their jobs.”
The Mayor of the Liverpool City Region has also issued a statement. Steve Rotheram says: “Our hearts go out to all of those affected, especially those who have been injured.
“Thank you, as ever, to the first responders for their professionalism and swift action. This is a difficult day for our city region, but we stand together.”
‘Truly shocking’, says Home Secretary Yvette Cooper
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper describes the scenes in Liverpool as “truly shocking”.
She says: “Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response to the truly shocking and horrendous scenes in Liverpool this evening.
“Thinking of all those affected at this very difficult time. The police are investigating and I’m being kept updated on developments.”
Pictured: Liverpool streets filled with emergency services
These are the latest photos we are seeing from the scene in Liverpool, where emergency services are at work.
Everything we know so far: Man detained as Liverpool and PM release statements
It’s coming up to three hours since emergency services were called to Water Street. Let’s quickly recap everything we know so far:
- A car collided with a number of pedestrians on Water Street just after 18:00, according to Merseyside Police
- The force says a 53-year-old man from the Liverpool area has since been arrested, but it is unclear if he is thought to be the driver of the vehicle involved in the incident
- Merseyside Police has not yet released details of the extent of any injuries suffered or whether there have been any fatalities
- A number of tents have been set up inside the police cordon along Water Street and the surrounding area
- Water Street is near the Strand, where moments before the incident occurred Liverpool FC paraded the Premier League trophy
- Liverpool FC has released a statement saying its “thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident”
- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is being kept updated on the latest developments and said in a statement that what has happened in Liverpool as “appalling”
We’re expecting Merseyside Police to give an update on the situation at 22:30 BST. You’ll be able to watch and follow live on this page.
Everton FC and Premier League offer condolences
Everton FC says “our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city”.
The Premier League has also released a statement, saying “everyone at the Premier League is shocked by the appalling events in Liverpool this evening, and our heartfelt thoughts go out to all those injured and affected.
“We have been in contact with Liverpool FC and have offered our full support following this serious incident.”
As a reminder, thousands had gathered in the city to celebrate Liverpool FC’s Premier League trophy parade.
‘I grabbed my daughter and dived out of the way’
Just after 18:00 a car drove down Dale Street towards the Strand. This was about 10 minutes after the bus carrying the Liverpool team had passed by.
Thousands of people were walking down Dale Street when a commotion broke out and people began screaming as a car drove through the crowd.
I grabbed my daughter and dived out of the way.
The car carried on, as it passed by men gave chase, the rear window was broken.
An ambulance trying to make its way through the crowd was forced to stop by the size of the crowd and this formed a barrier in the road which forced the car to stop.
Eyewitness describes ‘horrendous’ scene
Harry Rashid was at the parade with his wife and two young daughters when he witnessed the collision.
“It happened about 10ft away from us…The vehicle came to our right. It emerged from just right next to an ambulance, which was parked up. This grey people carrier just pulled up from the right and just rammed into all the people at the side of us,” he says.
Speaking to PA news agency, the 48-year-old says the car was travelling south, down Water Street.
“It was extremely fast. Initially, we just heard the pop, pop, pop of people just being knocked off the bonnet of a car.”
He describes how crowds began trying to smash the car windows when the driver stalled, before he started moving again.
“My daughter started screaming and there were people on the ground.”
“I saw people lying on the ground, people unconscious.”
“It was horrendous. So horrendous.”
Liverpool FC in direct contact with police
We’re now hearing from a spokesperson for Liverpool FC, after supporters had gathered in the city to celebrate the club’s Premier League win.
The spokesperson says the club is in direct contact with Merseyside Police following the incident, which happened on Water Street “towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening”.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident. We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident.”
‘Do not speculate’: Latest police statement in full
We’ve just reported an update from Merseyside Police that a 53-year-old white British man has been arrested.
Here’s the full statement from their spokesperson:
“We would ask people not to speculate on the circumstances surrounding tonight’s incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre.
“We can confirm the man arrested is a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area.
“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision.
“We would ask people not to share distressing content online but to send the footage or information directly to us MerPolCC or pass on information by calling 101 quoting log 784.
“Information can also be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Man, 53, arrested after car hits pedestrians in Liverpool – police
A 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area has been arrested, Merseyside Police says.
It comes after a car ploughed into a crowd of people during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade. It is unclear if he is the driver of the vehicle.
Starmer: Scenes in Liverpool are appalling
We’re hearing now from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who describes what’s happened in Liverpool as “appalling”.
“My thoughts are with all those injured or affected,” he goes on.
“I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident.”
Starmer says he is being kept updated on the latest developments.
Liverpool Council liaising with police
Liverpool City Council says they are “liaising” with Merseyside Police after reports of a car colliding with pedestrians at the Liverpool FC Premier League parade.
A spokesman for Liverpool City Council says: “We are currently liaising with Merseyside Police regarding an incident on Water Street in the city centre.”
This is a breaking news situation – we’ll continue to bring you the latest as and when we know it.
Everything we know so far: Man detained as police cordon off city centre
Let’s bring you the latest on what we know on the car incident in Liverpool city centre:
- Merseyside Police say just after 18:00 they received reports a car had collided with “a number of pedestrians” on Water Street
- It is not yet known how many people are injured or if anyone has been killed
- Police say a man has been detained following the collision
- An air ambulance has landed in the area and there are a large number of police cordons in place
- The incident follows an afternoon of celebration as thousands of Liverpool fans watched the Premier League trophy parade in the city centre
Pictures show scale of emergency response
The first lot of images are coming through from Liverpool city centre. They show emergency services at the scene and the area being cordoned off with tape and metal barriers.
It’s not yet known if anyone’s been injured – or how badly – after a car collided with pedestrians on Water Street.
Police say a man has been detained.
Ambulance service ‘currently assessing the situation’
There’s a statement now from the North West Ambulance Service.
It says, “following reports of a road traffic collision”, its crews are dealing with the incident in Liverpool city centre.
“We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services,” the statement adds.
“Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible.”
Police cordon off the scene
I’m here on Water Street, where there is police tape cordoning off the area. Earlier, police began receiving reports that a car collided with a number of pedestrians on the road.
I have seen what appears to be at least three injured people being taken away.
The North West Air Ambulance has just landed at the scene.
There is a large police presence and first responders are attending to the scene.
Man detained after car collides with pedestrians – police statement in full
Let’s bring you the Merseyside Police statement in full.
“We are currently dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city centre.
“We were contacted at just after 18:00 today, following reports a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street.
“The car stopped at the scene and a male has been detained.
“Emergency services are currently on the scene.”
Merseyside Police dealing with reports of car colliding with pedestrians
There is currently a large emergency service presence in Liverpool city centre following reports that a car collided with a number of people, Merseyside Police say.
This is a developing story which follows Liverpool’s Premier League trophy parade.
Stay with us and we will bring you updates as we get them.
