A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a firework was thrown at the Liver building in central Liverpool, on the second night of mass celebrations after Liverpool won the Premier League for the first time on Thursday.
Police said a 19-year-old man from Scarisbrick, Lancashire, was being questioned in connection with the incident after the firework landed on a balcony, causing £10,000 worth of damage.
Another man, 26, has also been charged with grievous bodily harm following a serious assault on someone in the crowd, officers added.
Craig Campbell, of Lemon Street in Kirkdale, was is due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Monday after a 32-year-old man suffered serious head injuries when he was attacked during the mass gathering, police said.
A total of 15 people were arrested for public order offences, affray and being drunk and disorderly after "violent confrontations" with police officers. Police are continuing to look at CCTV to find other people involved in the violence.
The arrests came as thousands of people gathered in Liverpool's Pier Head area for the second night in a row on Friday to celebrate Liverpool's Premier League triumph.
Police, the city council and Liverpool FC all condemned the gatherings and the violence.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Jon Roy said two officers were treated for injuries to their backs after bottles were thrown at them as they went to help the assault victim.
He added that a group of about 100 people threw glasses and bottles at riot police as they tried to stop them committing acts of disorder in the city centre.
Mr Roy said: “Specially trained officers in protective kit had to disperse them and we then had a number of really violent, absolutely unacceptable, incidents of violence and disorder throughout the city centre.”
Liverpool FC gave a joint statement with police and Liverpool City Council, condemning the violent scenes as “wholly inappropriate”.
The statement said: “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.”
Police issued an order for the city centre that allowed them to disperse any crowds that had gathered. Officers have also launched a seven-day operation to try to stop any further gatherings, Mr Roy added.
Ambulance staff attended 34 emergencies around the area, with 27 people taken to hospital. Three were in a serious condition, the North West Ambulance Service said.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson wrote a letter to the people of Liverpool to express his “sadness and disappointment”.
He said: “Seeing thousands of people congregating at the Pier Head into the early hours and the ugly scenes shared on social media afterwards was heartbreaking to see.
“Fireworks, flares and tonnes of litter, amount to nothing but disrespect for our city.
“Like many others, I became emotional out of frustration at what I was seeing.
“This mindless behaviour has the potential to damage Liverpool’s reputation – both the club’s and the city. I don’t believe this is how the team would like their achievement to be remembered.”
Chief Constable Andy Cooke added: “For the good of your city, your club, and most importantly those who are at highest risk of dying of this disease, stay at home and keep others safe.”
