Neighbours 'in shock' over Liverpool parade suspect

Neighbours have described their shock and disbelief after discovering the suspect in the Liverpool parade investigation lives close by.

A 53-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder remains in custody for questioning after a car ploughed into football fans during Liverpool's Premier League victory parade in the city centre on Monday.

A nine-year-old was the youngest victim from a total of 79 casualties struck by the Ford Galaxy on Water Street shortly after 18:00 BST.

One neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, said everyone was "in shock" while a mechanic, who works in the area, described the suspect as a "family man".

The neighbour said he first realised the suspect lived close by in the West Derby area of Liverpool when he noticed police officers on shift outside a property.

"I knew something was going on," he said.

"That's when I thought this is the guy."

He said everyone was "in shock" and "can't believe it".

"It's such a quiet estate," he added.

"Everyone keeps themselves to themselves as he did, so no-one really knows much about him."

Steve, who works as mechanic, said he had met the suspect when he brought the family car in for a service – most recently three months ago.

He said he recognised the vehicle straightaway on the news from the registration plate.

"I thought 'Oh my god. I can't believe it – surely not'," he said.

He said the suspect was a "softly spoken family man" who seemed "sensible".

"I can't see how this has happened. It's crazy," he added.

Another neighbour said she had enjoyed watching the parade with her family before discovering what had happened.

"Everyone was saddened by the end of the day while watching the news – and to think that [the suspect] lives on my street is just really shocking," she said.

She added that it was a "lovely" and "peaceful" place to live.

"I don't know him but all the neighbours down both sides of the street – we've all been friends, we all have barbecues, we've been on holidays together.

"It's a close knit community."

Merseyside Police said the force had been given more time to question the suspect, who was also detained on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs, until Thursday evening.

Under laws around the detention of suspects, police forces can keep a person in custody for 24 hours without charge, while a senior officer of at least superintendent rank can sign off on an initial 12-hour extension.

After that, an application can be made to a magistrates' court for further 12-hour extensions to a maximum of 96 hours - or 14 days if the offence is terrorism related.

The force previously confirmed the incident was not being treated as terror related.

Hundreds of thousands of jubilant Liverpool fans packed the city centre on Bank Holiday Monday and lined the 10-mile (16km) parade route as the Reds celebrated winning their second Premier League crown and 20th top-flight league title.

In a press conference on Tuesday, police said it was believed the car had followed an ambulance through a road block, which had been lifted to allow medics to reach someone having a suspected heart attack.

The car, a Ford Galaxy, had also struck the pram of a baby boy who was being pushed by his parents, but the child was not hurt, despite the pram spinning metres down the street after it was hit.

A fundraising campaign set up for those affected by the incident has raised more than £30,000, including a £10,000 donation from ex-player Jamie Carragher's charity foundation.

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