Police issue statement ahead of County Road protest

Merseyside Police has also put in a dispersal zone around the area Merseyside Police has also put in a dispersal zone around the area Police officers have been given new powers ahead of a planned anti-immigration protest and counter-protest on County Road. Another protest is due to take place on the Walton main road on Saturday afternoon, beginning at the Royal Oak pub before moving towards the city centre. The planned demonstration follows last month's protest which saw large numbers of people march brandishing English flags and banners of "no more illegals" and "mass deportations". Tomorrow's protest has been promoted on social media by right-wing accounts. Merseyside Police has confirmed a dispersal zone will be in place between 10am on Saturday and 9.59am on Sunday. It covers a significant area of north Liverpool including Queens Drive, Utting Avenue, Arkles Lane, Wylva Road, Walton Breck Road, Everton Valley, Kirkdale Road, Great Mersey Street, Stanley Road, Melrose Road, Brewster Street and Breeze Hill. It includes all roads, transport hubs and public spaces within these boundaries. The dispersal order gives police officers and police community support traffic officers powers to direct people they suspect are causing or likely to cause crime, nuisance or anti-social behaviour to members of the public to leave a designated area and not return for up to 48 hours. Under the legislation, officers have the power to seize any items, including vehicles, used in the commission of anti-social behaviour. Should a person who has previously been directed to leave the area return, an offence would be committed, which they may ultimately be arrested for. A designated protest area will also be in place and will take effect at 10am and will run until 4pm. This new legislation introduced just this week gives police officers new powers in relation to protests. Merseyside Police Superintendent Col Rooney, who is a force silver commander, told the ECHO: "From June 29, a new offence came into force called concealing identity at a protest. This means that a person commits an offence if they are in a public place within a locality that has been formally designated as a protest area, and wear or use an item that conceals their own identity or another person's identity. "The offence only applies where the designated area has been properly notified to the public during the initial 24 hour designation period; or where notification requirements have been met for any extension period. "For policing purposes, these provisions are aimed at preventing offenders involved in protests from avoiding identification while preserving legitimate uses of face coverings. "As always, we police by consent. This means policing without fear or favour, remaining politically impartial and working to uphold the rights and safety of all communities. Where individuals commit criminal offences, we will take appropriate and proportionate action. "We recognise there will still be concerns from, and disruption to, the local community regarding the planned events, particularly due to the location. We fully understand the impact this may have on residents, businesses and those living locally, which is why extensive planning and engagement with partners, community representatives, businesses and organisers is taking place. "Although some people believe police can prevent protests from taking place, the legal powers available to restrict or prohibit processions are limited and subject to strict legal thresholds. The law does, however, allow police to impose conditions on processions and assemblies where necessary and proportionate to prevent serious disorder, serious disruption, intimidation or criminality. "We will use all available powers to ensure that disruption is minimal and the area is returned back to normal as soon as possible. Where individuals commit criminal offences, we will take appropriate and proportionate action." Last month's march attracted criticism from local politicians because the location suffered severe damage during the 2024 riots following the murders in Southport, including the destruction of a local library. Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said in an open letter: "Many local people have been in touch with me to say they do not want this march to take place. "It is a painful reminder of one of the darkest moments in that area's history. I share their view, but local authorities do not have the power to prevent such marches from taking place." Liverpool Lib Dem leader Carl Cashman added that people "have the right to protest peacefully but do not have the right to intimidate a community that is still bearing the scars of disorder". The majority of businesses on County Road shuttered their doors for the day fearing a repeat of 2024's violence. One business owner on County Road, who had lived in the UK for nearly two decades, said: "I don't want to open the shop. I am foreign and people might just attack me because I am foreign." Last month's protest was met by a counter-demonstration of people supporting Liverpool's refugee community. Police officers made several arrests during last month's event, with one man being charged for "punching" a police officer.

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