Footage has emerged online of a group of men setting off fireworks in Liverpool city centre last night.
Merseyside Police were called out to a hotel at 3.30am and upon arrival two boxes of 'industrial fireworks' were seized. Footage seen by the ECHO appears to show three men on Brook Street setting off fireworks at the side of the Innside Hotel.
A flurry of fireworks can be seen going off followed by a sequence of loud bangs.
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The Merseyside Police EFC Matchday Officers Twitter page said earlier today: "Disrupted a group of males setting off fireworks this morning at 3:30am near to a Liverpool city centre hotel. 2 x boxes of industrial fireworks seized. Police will continue to similar visibility and activity for future matches."
The ECHO has contacted police for comment and further details.
Everton take on Southampton in a 3pm kick off at Goodison Park. This afternoon the club confirmed the board of directors will not attend the match later on due to reports of a “real and credible threat to their safety”.
The statement said: "Everton’s Board of Directors have been instructed not to attend today’s Premier League fixture against Southampton because of a ‘real and credible threat to their safety and security’.
“Chairman Bill Kenwright, CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Chief Finance and Strategy Officer Grant Ingles and Non-Executive Director Graeme Sharp have reluctantly accepted the outcome of the safety assessment carried out by security advisors.
“The board members received the instruction following malicious and unacceptably threatening correspondence received by the club and increasing incidents of anti-social behaviour – including targeted physical aggression - at recent home matches.”
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