Residents express fear and concern following violent riots in Merseyside, shaking their sense of safety in the community.
Haroon Shamsadin, for instance, was terrified during the chaos. He recalls how a peaceful Saturday night turned into a nightmare outside the County Road Mosque. It all kicked off when a crowd gathered, and before anyone knew it, violence erupted. The police were there to keep the peace, but they ended up being attacked.
This all happened after a tragic incident in Southport, where three young girls lost their lives in a stabbing. The tension spilled over, leading to riots in Southport and then in Merseyside. People were scared for their lives and their businesses.
The trouble started around 8:30 PM, with missiles being thrown at the police. Riot vans showed up quickly, but the crowd just moved further up the road, causing more chaos. They set fires and targeted local shops, leaving destruction in their wake.
One of the first places hit was the Liver Mini Mart. Mohammad Amad had just taken over the store a week before the riots. He had to shut down for two months after the damage. He shared how he got a call warning him about trouble, and by the time he got there, the damage was done.
The next day, the community came together to clean up the mess. It was heartwarming to see people rallying to help. But for Mohammad, the trouble didn’t stop there. He’s still dealing with theft and vandalism, and he just wants to keep the peace.
Haroon, who works at the King Store, also had a rough night. He was home when the rioters broke in, stealing cash and causing havoc. He feared for his life, thinking they might target him because of his background. Thankfully, the community supported him afterward, helping to clean up and showing solidarity.
Ardalan Othman, the owner of King Store, is still on edge. He’s worried that more violence could happen. He feels like the rioters didn’t care about the tragedy that sparked the chaos; they just wanted to loot and destroy.
Another shop, Best-one, was also hit. Manager Anees Ali watched helplessly as the rioters broke in. But like the others, he found support from the community afterward, and they were able to reopen quickly.
The fire at Spellow Library drew attention and support from all over the country, raising £250,000 for renovations. The library has since reopened, and local leaders have praised the community for coming together in the aftermath.
As of now, 163 people have been arrested in connection with the riots, with many facing charges. The police are still reviewing footage and evidence, urging anyone with information to come forward.
