A man has pleaded guilty to attacking a police vehicle, leaving officers trapped inside and fearing for their safety during the riots in Southport. Luke Moran, 38, from Leybourne Avenue in Birkdale, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on August 15, 2024, where he admitted to violent disorder.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reported that on July 30, 2024, Moran was part of a crowd on Zetland Street that threw missiles, bins, and other objects at police and their vehicles. He approached a stationary police van with an officer inside, attempted to rip off the wing mirror, and then violently punched the window, causing the officer to fear for his safety. The officer was unable to move the vehicle and felt effectively trapped.
CCTV footage captured Moran mingling with the crowd prior to the attack, where he appeared to incite further disorder near the local mosque. The police officer recorded the assault on his body camera, and Moran was later identified from this footage, leading to his arrest by Merseyside Police on August 14, 2024.
During his police interview, Moran denied being near the scene, stating, “I was nowhere near Zetland Street, St Luke’s Street, mate.” His arrest was part of an ongoing investigation into the violent disorder that erupted following the tragic murder of three young girls in Southport the previous day.
Moran is scheduled to be sentenced on August 21. In a statement, the police officer involved described feeling isolated and vulnerable, facing a hostile crowd intent on inflicting harm. “My carrier became a focal point of the ongoing barrage. I seriously feared for my safety as I was faced by hundreds of men,” he said, highlighting the aggressive nature of the mob.
District Crown Prosecutor Sarah Gray from CPS Mersey-Cheshire remarked on the shocking nature of Moran’s actions, emphasizing that he posed a significant threat to the officer’s safety. “The footage of Moran battering at the police van door is truly alarming. His level of violence and aggression was appalling,” she stated.
Chief Crown Prosecutor Sarah Hammond added that prosecutors have been working diligently to secure swift convictions following the unrest. “We have already seen many convictions and expect this number to grow as our team continues to address those inciting violence online or participating in disturbances,” she said. “Make no mistake, if you engage in such behavior, you will face prosecution.”