Wrexham Rural officers assist Merseyside Police following Southport tragedy

Officers from Wrexham Rural have been assisting Merseyside Police following the tragic incident in Southport this week.

Three children – Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar – were killed following an attack in the town on Monday (29 July). Several others were seriously injured at a Taylor Swift themed dance class event.

The Southport community was further rocked by rioting and unrest on Tuesday evening.

Wrexham Rural police have said that in recent days members of the local team who are Police Support Unit (PSU) Level 2 trained – those who have undergone specialist tactical training in Public Order and Riot Control – worked alongside the Merseyside force over the last couple of days providing Mutual Aid to keep their communities safe.

Several other forces provided similar help, with Merseyside Police stating that more than 50 officers were hurt during disorder involving hundreds of people in Southport on Tuesday evening.

Of the 53 injured, 49 were Merseyside Police officers and four were Lancashire Police officers.

Eight sustained serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion and were treated in hospital.

Other officers suffered varying degrees of injury including head injuries, serious facial injuries and one was knocked unconscious.

Merseyside police added: “Three police dogs were also injured. After having bricks thrown at them, Police Dog Zoe sustained a laceration to her leg, has been stitched and is now resting, and PD Ike is recovering after sustaining a cut mouth and swelling to his front leg.

“PD Quga suffered burns to her back leg. A fourth dog, PD Repo, was spared injury after their handler kicked petrol away.”

In addition to their Southport update, NWP Wrexham Rural have also provided an update on the last few days of policing for its Rota 1 team, which has made arrests for offences including: Criminal Damage, Domestic Assaults, Drink Driving Offences and a Sexual Assault.

In a statement, NWP Wrexham Rural said: “There have also been a large quantity of missing people (MISPERS) which has involved Officers conducting searches across different areas of the county in order to locate the MISPERS and get them back to safety.

“Lastly and most importantly – we seem to have acquired a new team member who has fit right in at the station and seems purr-fect for the role.”