§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent civil disturbances in Toxteth, Liverpool.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI understand from the chief constable of Merseyside that during the afternoon of 1 October four men appeared at Liverpool City magistrates' court charged with offences of affray following incidents at the Toxteth carnival on 10 August. They were remanded in custody at Risley remand centre. The public gallery was packed. After the proceedings had been completed, a hammer was thrown through the window of Hope street police station. The crowd dispersed in the direction of Toxteth and there followed sporadic outbreaks of disorder all confined within a triangle of 300 yards. A small number of vehicles were commandeered and set on fire and the police were stoned. Up to 400 youths were involved in the violence and the police deployed a substantial number of officers in riot gear. The Bishop and Archbishop of Liverpool called a meeting at the neighbourhood law centre in an attempt to ease the tension. Sporadic incidents of disorder continued to take place in the late evening and a small fire was started at premises in Granby street. This was quickly extinguished. By 2 am there remained a hard core of around 50–100 youths throwing stones but they were46W eventually dispersed. Four police officers sustained injuries (one was detained in hospital) and 10 injuries to members of the public were reported. A total of 17 people have been charged with offences arising out of these incidents.