Detectives from Merseyside Police had been waiting for the suspect to land at Manchester Airport from Spain as part of investigations into violent disorder in Southport last summer
A 35-year-old man was arrested by police just moments after landing at Manchester Airport. Merseyside Police said the man was arrested following his flight from Spain on Monday.
Manchester Evening News reports the suspect, from Wigan, was wanted by detectives as part of investigations into violent disorder that erupted in Southport last summer following the stabbings of three schoolgirls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. The man was allegedly seen “throwing missiles at officers”, according to police, and has since been bailed. A statement issued by Merseyside Police said: “Yesterday, Monday 24 March, detectives arrested a 35-year-old man from Wigan on suspicion of violent disorder when he landed at Manchester Airport from Spain.
“The suspect was seen throwing missiles at officers during the disorder at Southport. He has been bailed with conditions pending further enquiries.”
Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “We have made 185 arrests and charged 146 people in connection with violence and disruption which damaged our communities on Merseyside. The disgusting scenes witnessed will not be tolerated and we advise anyone else who took part in the disorder to do the right thing and hand themselves in.”
Axel Rudakubana has since been jailed for life over the stabbings of the three girls in Southport. He will serve a minimum of 52 years for the murders and attempted murder of 10 others on July 29.
Images and footage of people of interest in relation to the violent disorder in Southport are still being worked through, the force said. Anyone with any information is urged to report it via the public portal mipp.police.uk or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
