Mischief Night in Formby saw acts of arson and criminal damge

Merseyside Police can confirm that officers attended reports of youths gathering, arson and criminal damage to a car in the Formby area last night, Monday 30 October. At around 5.30pm, a call was received of a group of youths on bikes in Duke Street. Patrols attended and found no trace of any youths. Further calls were received around 6.30pm of youths throwing unknown items towards vehicles, and possibly setting off firecrackers.

A later report was also received of damage being caused to the wing mirror of a Hyundai Ioniq car. The incident was not witnessed but is under investigation.

At 8.55pm, Merseyside Fire and Rescue service attended the report of a white transit van on fire in Dukes Way. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances.

At around 11.05pm, a further call was received of damage being caused to the front windows of an outer pane of glass at a house on Dukes Way. The window was not smashed and reassurance was given to the occupant of the house.

Mischief Night - This was an incident on Brows Lane in Formby when a shop window was damaged

Local Policing Inspector Andy Dentith said: “We will not tolerate incidents of arson, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour in Formby or anywhere in Sefton at any time of year and we will have a large number of officers in the area tonight and over the Bonfire Night period to support the local community. I want to make it clear that is not acceptable to commit criminal damage or abuse or intimidate people, and we reinforce this message through local schools and organisations. "The support of parents and guardians is vital at this time of year. They can minimise the risk by not letting children hang around the streets with nowhere to go and know who they are with and what they are doing, especially in the run up to Halloween and Bonfire Night. "By taking some simple steps it could prevent that knock on their door from a police officer informing them that their child has been arrested or, worse still, has been involved in a serious accident."

Station Manager Paul Kay, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Arson Reduction and Incident Investigation lead said:

“I would ask people to consider the whereabouts and activity of their children and for those that did this to think about the very serious consequences of their actions. We will continue to serve our community. Help us help you, please show respect to firefighters.” Anyone with information on anti-social behaviour is asked to call 101 or speak to local officers. You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously and for free on 0800 555 111 or via their online form: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online.

Mischief Night - This was the incident on Dukes Way, just off Duke Street when youths set a van on fire

For information on activities happening over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period in Merseyside, visit: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/autumn-fun-2017

Have a devilishly scary Halloween everyone 🎃