Boy, 14, among latest arrested over riots

A 14-year-old boy was detained in the latest set of arrests linked to widespread disorder following the Southport knife attack.

The child, from Liverpool, was held alongside a 16-year-old boy and a 30-year-old man from Southport, Merseyside Police said.

The force said it had also charged a 19-year-old man from Halewood with violent disorder in Liverpool city centre.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were killed and 10 others were injured in the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July.

The following day, a large crowd caused damage and attacked police around a mosque in Southport, with additional disorder later erupting in Liverpool and across the country.

Police said the 14-year-old, from the Toxteth area, had been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in Liverpool city centre and had been conditionally bailed.

He is suspected of being part of a group recorded throwing missiles at police and smashing its way into shops, the force said.

The 16-year-old, who was held on suspicion of violent disorder and handling stolen goods, was alleged to have been involved in throwing missiles and looting shops in Southport.

In Merseyside the total arrests made in relation to the riots so far stands at 136, with 94 people charged and 73 sentenced to a total of 156 years and six months in prison.

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