Man arrested after assault in Liverpool City Centre

We have arrested a man following an incident in Liverpool City centre on Friday 18 June. 

Shortly after 2.45am, officers attended reports of an altercation between approximately 10 males and females on Upper Newington Street.

When police arrived, it was reported that a 24-year-old woman had been assaulted. She was taken to hospital by ambulance with minor injuries. 

A 34-year-old man from Toxteth was arrested on suspicion of Section 47 Assault.

He has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries. 

Officers have received a report that a homophobic slur was directed towards the victim's friend shortly before the attack, and as such the incident is being treated as a hate crime.

We are urging anyone who witnessed the attack to come forward with any information.

Detective Inspector Graeme Osborne said: “This was an appalling incident which saw violence break out on a busy city centre street leaving a woman injured. Although we have made one arrest, our investigations continue. 

“Following our enquiries so far we have had a report that homophobic slurs were directed at the victim's friend before the incident. This is simply unacceptable. 

“We at Merseyside Police simply will not tolerate people being targeted in this manner and so, if you were in the Upper Newington Street area in the early hours of Friday morning, and saw, heard or captured anything please let us know and we will take action.

“Over the past few weeks there have been several appalling hate crimes in our city centre and we are working tirelessly to find those responsible and bring them to justice. 

“Everyone in Merseyside has the right to go about their daily business without the fear of being subjected to verbal or physical abuse based on their sexuality, and we remain committed to ensuring they can.

“I would take this opportunity to urge any victim of homophobic, biphobic or transphobic hate crime on Merseyside to please come forward and let us know. We have a team of specialist officers who will offer support as sensitively as possible.”

Anyone with information on the incident on Thursday morning, or on hate crime on Merseyside, is asked to contact us via our social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with reference 21000425496.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.