Public advised not to spread rumours and misinformation in relation to an incident in Bootle

We would ask people to avoid spreading rumours and misinformation in relation to an incident involving a delivery driver and a large group of youths in Bootle yesterday evening, Friday 19 June.

At around 6.50pm an independent witness reported that a delivery driver was riding his bike towards the alleyway off Edward Jenner Avenue when the group of 20 youths stopped him and grabbed onto his bike. The driver tried to get away from the group and the youths then started throwing punches towards him to which the delivery driver defended himself while also attempting to get away from the youths.

Officers arrived at the scene and witnessed the youths acting aggressively and shouting at the driver, while attempting to confront him.

Enquiries have been conducted and an independent third party who witnessed the incident has confirmed that the youths were assaulting the delivery driver, and he had acted in self-defence to protect himself.

Detective Superintendent Louise Birchall said: “We have carried out extensive enquiries to understand the circumstances of what happened and can confirm from an independent witness that the delivery driver was defending himself after being confronted by 20 youths.

“We are satisfied that he had acted in self-defence.

“We are aware that social media posts are circulating online and would urge people not to share rumours or misinformation which creates a false narrative of what actually took place.”