City clean-up begins after 'deplorable' riots

Spellow Hub community library was set on fire

A clean-up operation is under way after a "devastating" night of unrest in Liverpool.

Approximately 300 people were involved in riots on County Road, Walton, Merseyside Police said.

The group gathered at about 20:00 BST and "from the start were intent on committing serious violence and disorder", the force said.

A library set on fire, with rioters trying to prevent firefighters from putting it out, shops were broken into and a number of wheelie bins were set on fire.

Approximately 300 people were involved in riots on County Road, Walton

A tobacco and vape shop was ransacked

Tensions have been high after the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday.

The Spellow Lane Library Hub, which was opened last year to serve deprived communities, has suffered severe damage to its ground floor.

When firefighters arrived a missile was thrown at the fire engine, breaking the rear window of the cab, police said.

A convenience store, where the till had been stolen earlier in the day, was also torched.

Other shops were broken into and a number of wheelie bins and industrial bins were set on fire.

Council workers cleared debris from County Road

A number of wheelie bins and industrial bins were set on fire

Shutters were torn down and shops ransacked

It followed earlier disorder during two rival protests.

Violence broke out after a group who had been taking part in an anti-racism rally outside St George’s Hall faced an anti-immigration demonstration at the Pier Head.

Police confirmed a number of officers had been injured in what they described as "serious disorder", adding that two had been taken to hospital - one with a suspected broken nose and one with a suspected broken jaw.

It said 23 people had been arrested.

Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss, said: "The violence and damage caused on County Road this evening is sickening and nothing can excuse the deplorable behaviour seen on our streets today.

"The impact of the disorder will be devastating for the people of Walton, but I promise that we are doing everything in our power to arrest those involved and bring them to justice."