Police powers have been extended following "violent activity" during a protest outside the Suites Hotel.
Merseyside Police were called to Ribblers Lane, Kirkby, to originally facilitate a peaceful protest and counter-protest at around 6.30pm on Friday. But officers said a number of people had turned up at the Knowsley hotel "intent on using a planned protest to carry out violent and despicable behaviour".
Images taken by the ECHO at the scene showed a wall of Merseyside Police riot officers standing in front of the burning vehicle. A large group of people dressed in black opposed the police and threw missiles towards the line of officers.
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A dispersal zone was introduced over the weekend, but Merseyside Police confirmed this has since been extended. It will now run at 1pm on Monday, February 13 and will continue for 48-hours, until 12.59pm on Wednesday, February 15.
Areas in the zone includes Moorgate Road North, Green land joining Alchemy Way, crossing A580 East Lancashire Road, crossing green land & joining Ainsworth Lane, Penrhyn Road, School Lane, joining & including Randles Farm Interchange (M57 roundabout) crossing green land to re-join A580 East Lancashire road Eastbound to the junction of Moorgate Road North.
Superintendent Karl Baldwin from Knowsley Local Policing, said: "Since the order was introduced on Saturday, we have issued several dispersal notices to those looking to gather without good reason in this area. We will continue to use these powers to ensure that there is no repeat of the scenes witnessed on Friday. Additional patrols will be in the area to enforce this.
"The incident on Friday put those in the community and our officers at risk. We have made 15 arrests at this time, all of whom remain under investigation. A dedicated investigation team will be reviewing all available evidence to identify and bring to justice those involved in the disorder.
"We have introduced this dispersal zone to give officers the additional powers to approach people they suspect may be there to commit offences. There is no excuse for the violence that was carried out on Friday and we will arrest anyone who fails to heed this advice."
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 antisocial behaviour or are likely to become involved in such incidents. These powers will not be used for anyone going about their daily business.
Superintendent Karl Baldwin added: "We know people are concerned, but much of that concern is based on misinformation and rumour. There is no excuse for resorting to violence. We know that those involved in the violent activity on Friday used rumours and allegations as an excuse to commit violence and intimidate members of the public.
"Everyone has the right to live their lives in peace and without fear. We are listening to the concerns of our communities in Knowsley and will be continuing to do so this week.
"The suspicious incident last week in Kirkby is, like all such allegations, under investigation by detectives and we always encourage anyone with information on suspected crime in your area to come forward directly to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers. Social media posting and sharing of unsubstantiated rumour is not the way to raise concerns to the police, it could jeopardise any investigation and put innocent people in harm’s way."
A total of 13 men and two women, between the ages of 13 and 54, were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and taken to police stations across Merseyside. Jared Skeete, 19, of Irwell Close, Aigburth, appeared at Wirral Magistrates Court on Monday.
The remaining 14 people arrested have been conditionally bailed pending the outcome of police enquiries. Skeete did not enter a plea and was remanded into custody before his next appearance at Liverpool Crown Court on March 13.
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