Woman, 54, arrested following reports of suspicious behaviour in Birkdale

We have arrested a 54-year-old woman on suspicion of sexual touching and attempted abduction of a child.

The arrest followed two reports we received of a woman in a car acting suspiciously in the Stamford Road area of Birkdale on the afternoon of Wednesday 6 November.

The first allegation relates to a report of a teenage male being touched inappropriately. In a separate incident it is alleged a schoolgirl was offered a lift. The girl did not get into the car and no physical contact occurred.

The woman has been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.

Detective Inspector Edward Barr said: “Our enquiries are at the very early stages as we seek to establish what has taken place and I would ask people not to comment or speculate while enquiries are being carried out.

“It is important that we are able to carry out our investigation fully and fairly. The woman has been bailed with strict conditions while we continue with our investigation, and we are continuing to support those affected and their families.

“We have increased patrols in the Birkdale area to reassure people and I would ask anyone with any concerns or with information which could assist with our enquiries to contact us as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with information that could assist can contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or Facebook 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre'. You can also call 101 quoting reference 24000943512, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously