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MERSEYSIDE Police have confirmed 11 people have been arrested following protest by UKIP and a counter protest in Liverpool City Centre, on:- Saturday, 23 August 2025. The arrests where for various offences including being:- drunk and disorderly, along with:- assault and affray.

In a statement issued by the Force they explained that a number of different groups gathered outside St George’s Hall, at round:- 11am, for a march, organised by UKIP. This set off at around:- 1.20pm.

We are told that there was a large Police presence to ensure the safety of all those taking part and the wider public.

We are told that Merseyside Police used legislation known as a Section 12 under the Public Order Act (1986) to redirect the procession back to St George’s Hall, shortly after it started.

Merseyside Police explain that this decision to invoke this legislation was made due to the serious disruption which was being caused to the community at the time, that included the road network.

Merseyside Police told us that:- "The safety of the public was paramount, and we wanted to ensure minimum disruption for local communities and businesses in the City Centre." Adding that they:- "respect the rights of everyone to take part in a lawful and peaceful protests, but we will never tolerate acts of criminality or anti-social behaviour."

Superintendent Karl Baldwin said:- "There was a large policing presence in Liverpool City Centre to ensure the safety of those taking part in the protest and counter protest as well as the wider public. We will never tolerate acts of criminality or anti-social behaviour and despite the vast majority of people protesting lawfully, and peacefully, sadly there were a number of people who were arrested for various offences, including public order offences and assault. A decision was made shortly after the march got underway to apply conditions under Section 12 of the Public Order Act, which redirected the march back to St George’s Hall. This decision wasn’t taken lightly and was made because there was evidence of serious disruption to the community, which is 1 of the limited reasons such conditions can be applied. The police are often faced with the challenge of treading the fine line between upholding everyone’s rights to protest equitably, whilst endeavouring to keep the peace and ensure the public are safe. We plan ahead, in a co-ordinated way, to ensure we do this consistently, fairly and proportionately. We would like to thank members of the public and businesses in the City Centre for their patience during the course of this event."

The Section 34 Dispersal Order will remain in place until:- 9.59am, on:- Monday, 25 August 2025.

The Dispersal Zone is bordered by:- Princes Parade, William Jessop way, Waterloo Road, Paisley Street, Great Howard Street, Leeds Street, Byrom Street, Hunter Street, Islington, Brunswick, Low Hill, Hall Street, Towerlands Street, Irvine, Mount Vernon, Grove Street, Oxford Street East, Smithdown Lane, Crown Street, Upper Parliament Street, Parliament Street, Queens Dock.

The order comes under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, which gives Police Officers and Police community support traffic officers powers to direct people who are engaging in criminality and anti-social behaviour or are likely to become involved in such incidents.

These powers will not be used for anyone visiting the area and going about their daily business.

Under the legislation, Officers have the power to seize any item used in the commission of such incidents.

Should a person who has previously been directed to leave the area return, an Offence would be committed, for which they may ultimately be arrested.

The Section 60 Order gives Officers additional powers to search people who are suspected of involvement in criminality and disorder.

It also includes a Section 60AA authorisation, meaning failure to remove a face covering when asked by an officer could result in arrest. Any face covering can also be seized by a Police Officer.

Superintendent Karl Baldwin said:- "These orders are not intended to disrupt anyone going about their lawful business today in the city centre, but instead will be used to help keep everyone safe. These orders are to ensure the people who live, visit or work in our City Centre can do so free from crime and anti-social behaviour, and I would ask people to continue reporting any concerns and we will take action. The aim, as ever, is to keep the public safe. I hope that the presence of our Oficers in the City Centre is reassuring, and I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to those Officers. If you witness any criminal behaviour, or have any information about such incidents, please contact or speak to our Officers and we will take action.”

Always call:- 999 if a crime is in progress. You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour via our social media desk @MerPolCC on X or visit:- 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800555111.