Fifth person arrested over Southport riots after cops recognise man from camera footage

have arrested a fifth man in connection with the violent disorder in Southport on Tuesday night (30 July).

Officers were called to a report of a domestic incident in Southport today (Wednesday 31 July) where it was reported a man had made threats to a male family member.

Police attended and the suspect was taken to hospital for treatment for a head injury.

Officers recognised the man from footage of the disorder in Southport on Tuesday, where he is alleged to have thrown rocks at officers and struck a police van, and where it is believed the head injury was sustained.

The suspect was reported to have racially abused a fellow patient while at the hospital.

A 39-year-old man from Southport has been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, threats to kill and a racially aggravated public order offence. He has been taken into custody to be interviewed.

He has been conditionally bailed.

Four other men have also been arrested. They are:

A 31-year-old man from St Helens was arrested on suspicion of Violent Disorder
A 31-year-old man from West Derby, Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of Violent Disorder
A 39-year-old man from Southport was arrested on suspicion of Violent Disorder
A 32-year-old man from Manchester with a probation address in Southport was arrested on suspicion of Affray and Possession of a bladed article

Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said: “Our work to identify all those responsible for the despicable violence and aggression seen on the streets of Southport on Tuesday continues.

“We have been inundated with images and footage from members of the public who were outraged at the destruction carried out.

“The individuals involved in the disorder had no regard for the families and friends of those who so tragically lost their lives, and a community in grief.

“It has been heartening today to see the reaction of the whole community, who have pulled together to clean the streets, rebuild walls and re-glaze broken windows.”

If you have any information on this incident or saw what happened, please contact our social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.