A man said his children are too scared to return home after "50 men" targeted his home because there was a Liverpool FC flag in the window.
Simon Smith, 38, lives on Andrew Street in Walton, just around the corner from Everton's Goodison Park and told the ECHO there were "50 men banging on the windows and doors" before the Blues' game against Brentford on Sunday. He claims the incident was sparked in response to the flag which said "Liverpool marching on Wembley way".
Simon told the ECHO that the incident left his children, aged 6 and 10, 'petrified' and they are staying at their nan's house. Simon has now said he is now considering moving because his children don't want to return to the Andrew Street home.
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Simon, who suffers from depression and anxiety, also said he was left "worried sick" after the incident.
A spokesperson for Everton FC told the ECHO that the club’s neighbourhood team had been "liaising with the resident" on Monday as part of a "commitment to being good neighbours in L4". The spokesperson added the club does not condone anti-social behaviour of any nature.
Many fans had arrived at the ground some hours before the 4.30pm kick-off to welcome the team coach and build an atmosphere before another important game in the club's battle for Premier League survival. It was between welcoming the coach and kick off that Simon said people gathered on his street.
He told the ECHO : "There were about 200 people in the street. The next minute, about 50 men banging on the window and door. My daughter and son were screaming the house down, crying their eyes out.
"They’re so scared that they won’t stay in the house now. They’ve had to go and stay at their nan’s. I’m trying to rehome my kids at the minute."
Andrew said he is speaking to Liverpool City Council in a bid to find a new home. He added: "I’m just waiting for the council because they (his children) will not come back to this house and I’m not having them sleeping on couches at their nan’s.
"It (speaking to the council) is the only way I can sort it. We’re on benefits, I’ve got really bad anxiety and depression. What these people have done to my children is atrocious - they are absolutely petrified. My daughter will not even come to the house, she’ll just about go to County Road."
A Merseyside Police spokesperson told the ECHO: "At around 3.30pm yesterday, Sunday 15 May, we received a report of anti-social behaviour on Andrew Street, Walton. It was reported that a group of people were banging on the windows of a property.
"No injuries or damage to property were reported but the occupant was left shaken by the incident."
People who witnessed the incident or have any information are asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or call 101 with reference 22000333636. You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111, or their online form at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.
