§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Merseyside on the recent disturbances in Toxteth.
§ Mr. MayhewThe information provided by the Chief Constable relates to Saturday 24 April to Thursday 5 May inclusive. At 4.50 pm on 24 April two police officers patrolling on foot in the Toxteth area were attacked by a group of 25 to 30 youths for no discernible reason. The officers' injuries were sufficiently serious for them to be detained overnight in hospital. We were glad to learn that they were then discharged. During the evening there were reports of gangs of youths engaged in stoning vehicles or committing acts of vandalism. In each case the police responded and the gangs broke up when officers arrived on the scene.
The pattern of gangs of youths roaming the area but dispersing immediately on the arrival of the police 166W continued on the nights of 25, 26 and 27 April. A 21-year-old man was arrested on 26 April as was a 15-year-old youth on 27 April. Both have been charged with the use of threatening behaviour and the possession of an offensive weapon.
Since 27 April there has been no incident of public disorder other than a report on the night of 5 May of youths stoning cars. The youths dispersed before the police arrived.