A warning has been issued to Liverpool FC fans who plan on heading to the city centre at the weekend for either the Champions League final or the club's planned parade.
Chief Superintendent Jonathan Davies has issued a stark reminder to fans across the region and those coming from outside Merseyside that they should leave flares and fireworks at home, with police cracking down on their use while fans flood the city. This weekend will be a bumper weekend for Reds fans as Liverpool take on Real Madrid in the Champions League final on Saturday before taking to the road through Merseyside at 4pm on Sunday to celebrate the men's FA Cup and Carabao Cup wins as well as the women's team's Championship win.
Following a warning from Merseyside Police earlier today, Chief Supt Davies reminded fans that it is illegal to use pyrotechnics, flares and fireworks in public places, particularly after an incident at the Liver Building in 2020 following Liverpool's league title win. He told the ECHO : "We don't endorse or understand the use of flares. Flares are being used increasingly at sporting events across the UK, it's not unique to Merseyside.
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"These are dangerous things. We saw that at the Liver Building and we see that frequently at football matches. You don't know what you've got, you don't know where it's come from, you don't know whether it's going to be hot or not and you don't know how much smoke it's going to put out.
"All you are doing is ruining the event for you and those around you. There are enough animations, events and things happening in the event that Culture Liverpool worked hard to deliver so you don't need to bring your own flares. We frown upon them, they're dangerous and they're inconsiderate so we really advise people to not bring flares and do not ignite flares because you are just going to ruin the event for people around you."
Chief Supt Davies continued to say that officers are supported by "rafts of legislation" when dealing with those who take flares into crowds. He said: "We take it very seriously. We ask people not to bring them and we will deal with people who bring them and choose to cause issues. There's a whole raft of legislation around fireworks in public places. They're totally unnecessary.
"We get that people want to make it colourful but it's colourful already at the event for you and those around you. We ask people to please not bring flares, please do not climb. You do not need to climb, you do not need to get height, there is no need to climb on buildings or street furniture because there is no point and you are just causing a hazard to you and those beneath you.
"Act respectfully, enjoy the event, enjoy all the work Culture Liverpool, the event organisers, have put in place. Come here safely, look after your belongings, look after children in heavy crowds and go home safely."
