Third arrest following Garston assaults

Officers have arrested a third male after reports two teenagers were assaulted in Garston on Friday 15 December.

We were called to a report of fighting on Speke Road, Garston just before 3.15pm, where two male victims in their teens sustained lacerations to their backs and have been taken to hospital for treatment. They have since been discharged.

A 16-year-old male from Liverpool was arrested that day on suspicion of two counts of assault, suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, and affray and a second 16-year-old from Liverpool arrested in suspicion of two counts of assault. They were were taken into custody to be interviewed and bailed with conditions.

On Tuesday 19 December, a 15-year-old boy from Wavertree was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, section 18 assault and affray. He has been bailed with conditions.

Officers remain in the area to provide a high visibility presence at key times, and are working with partners to reassure the local community.

Neighbourhood Inspector Nicola Hamilton said: “Thankfully, both victims of this incident are now recovering, and we continue to make progress with our investigation following the arrests.

“We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to educate young people on the dangers of knife crime, and to stop and search those we suspect are in possession of weapons which can cause fear and harm. 

“All year round we carry out action inclusing land searches where intelligence suggests knives are being stored, but our enforcement action is only a part of our efforts to help make our communities safer.”

Earlier this month, we launched Giving Back to Garston, inviting community groups, charities and organisations to apply for a share of £25,000 funding, made available using money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

They can apply for grants of up to £5,000 to deliver a project focused on youth engagement and intervention in the area.

With the focus on projects which aim to reduce and prevent crime and antisocial behaviour through youth engagement and interventions, bidding groups will have to go back to the classroom and pitch their ideas to a group of schoolchildren from primary and secondary schools.

They will decide who receives a share of the £25,000 funding pot at the Giving Back to Garston participatory budget event in February 2024. It will take place at The Academy of St Nicholas and bring together students from the Academy and five local primary schools to take part in the voting – St Austin’s, Garston CE, Banks Road, Gilmour Juniors and Holy Trinity. 

Insp Hamilton added: “Reducing knife crime in Merseyside is a priority for the force, and while enforcement and education by officers plays a huge part, we recognise that helping to provide vital services for young people in the community can help improve the experience of living there for everyone.

“The Giving Back to Garston event will give youngsters in Garston the opportunity to vote for the projects they want to see happen, that they will be most likely to utilise and enjoy.”

If you have information about this incident, DM our social media desk via X (formerly Twitter) @MerPolCC quoting reference 23001275108. You can also pass information via Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org