Five arrested over far-right attack in Liverpool city centre

Four men and a teenager have been arrested after people attending a Liverpool anti-fascism event were attacked.

Four men, aged 21, 24, 30 and 52 were detained after the North West Counter Terrorism Unit raided homes in Liverpool, Southport and Blackburn.

A 17-year-old boy is also being held.

Police said three members of an anti-fascist group were kicked and punched on 6 July by about 10 men from an extreme far-right group on Bold Street.

All five, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder, are being questioned following the morning raids, supported by Merseyside and Lancashire officers.

Det Supt Mark Smith, of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said there was "no specific threat" in connection with the arrests.

He said: "These arrests are part of an investigation into pre-planned disorder that resulted in a number of victims receiving minor injuries.

"As part of the NWCTU's remit, we investigate domestic extremism, which is an unlawful action that can be part of a protest or campaign."

More on This Story

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites

More England stories

RSS

Features & Analysis

  • A silver plate with a tipBad tip?

    Readers' tipping nightmares and fairytales


  • Michael HastingsRenegade reporter

    Divisive legacy of Rolling Stone journalist Michael Hastings


  • US Humvee and Saudi tank on road to Kuwait City, February 1991Patchy record

    Possible models for intervention as West mulls action in Syria


  • Latifa and Malalai NabizadaBaby on board

    The air force pilot who took her daughter on missions


Elsewhere on the BBC

BBC © 2013 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.