Appeal following arson incidents at Community Centre in Toxteth

We are appealing for information following two reports of arson at a community centre in Toxteth on Monday and Tuesday this week (17 and 18 November).

Emergency services were called to Crawford House Community Enterprise Centre on Gwent Street shortly after 9.15am on Monday to reports of fire damage caused to a ground floor room. A window had also been smashed.

The fire had gone out before the arrival of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and no one had been present at the time of the fire.

Officers attended to speak to potential witnesses and conduct house to house enquiries.

On Tuesday, we were called by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service just before 7.45am to a report they were damping down a fire at the same location. Again, no one was present at the time of the fire but it was believed to have been started deliberately.

An investigation into both incidents is ongoing.

Detective Inspector Natalie Charlesworth said: “We believe both fires were started deliberately and are keeping an open mind about the motives of the offenders involved.

"We have increased patrols of Local Policing and Response officers in the area to reassure the community, and are undertaking enquiries including exploring CCTV to identify those responsible.

“To set any part of a building on fire close to residential properties and business premises is extremely reckless and clearly puts anyone in the vicinity at serious risk.

“We are determined to find those responsible and enquiries are ongoing.

"As part of our investigation, we would like to hear from anyone who was in the area of Gwent Street and Upper Warwick Street overnight from Sunday into Monday, and Monday into Tuesday.

“If you saw anything at all, it could prove vital to our enquiries so tell us what you know and we will take action.

"If you were driving in the area, please review your dashcam footage in case you captured those responsible.”

If you have any information or footage on either incident, please contact Merseyside Police social media desk @MerPolCC on X and Facebook quoting incident reference 25000942004 or 25000944130.

You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.

Alternatively, 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.