A major police response was sparked by a mass gathering of children last night, with some witnesses claiming to have seen up to 100 young people involved.
Merseyside Police officers rushed to Bold in St Helens after reports were made of large gangs of youths gathering and causing disorder.
Large crowds of children were seen close to Bold Business Centre and Colliers Moss Common at about 8.45pm.
Alarming pictures showed up to 20 police and ambulance vehicles lined up along Bold Lane with blue sirens flashing.
A number of people living in the area claimed to have seen up to 100 children involved in the incident, according to local crimewatch groups on social media.
One assault is now being probed by detectives after a boy, 17, sustained an injury to his back after an altercation with an unknown woman or girl.
The victim suffered a minor injury and was taken to hospital as a precaution. He has since been discharged.
Enquiries are ongoing to identify who was present at the incident and identify the female involved.
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Detective Inspector Jackie Guinness, of Merseyside Police, said: “We keen to speak to anyone who was in the area from around 8.30pm and saw, heard or captured anything - be it descriptions of those involved, CCTV, dashcam or other images."
The incident coincided with the second day of the easing of coronavirus restrictions with the lockdown ending, but with significant restrictions still in place.
One woman in St Helens said: "Colliers Moss and the lake that the kids know as the Blue Lagoon as been a huge magnet to kids for past few years.
"Kids come to the area from miles around on sunny days, they play music, drink, using drugs, swimming in the lake ad they leave their litter in huge droves.
"The area used to be teaming with wildlife, we used to always see dozens of rabbits on our walks, now you'll be lucky to see one."
Another local said: "We saw loads of these kids leave here last night [Monday]. Most looked 14/15 at the very most! All dressed in shorts and t-shirts so presume they’d been there all day in the sun. It happens every time the sun comes out! Needs patrolling more often before there’s a fatality.
"I am wondering though, why these young kids are allowed out in a pandemic?!"
Another commented: "We saw this [police scene] too! There were a few kids walking with police but the place was surrounded by police and ambulance!"
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 21000203475.
