Merseyside Police have confirmed the arrest of a man following an incident where a car was driven into pedestrians during their Premier League victory parade. The streets were swarming with fans as an open-top bus, carrying the players, journeyed through the city.
However, unsettling reports surfaced about someone driving into the crowd, with unconfirmed accounts suggesting numerous individuals may have been injured.
Merseyside Police released a statement saying: "We are currently dealing with reports of a road traffic collision in Liverpool city center. We were contacted at just after 6pm today, Mon 26 May, following reports a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street. The car stopped at the scene and a male detained."
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented: "The scenes in Liverpool are appalling - my thoughts are with all those injured or affected.
"I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident. I'm being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to investigate."
The Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside Kim Johnson added: "I sincerely hope all those involved are safe and get home to their loved ones soon."
Hundreds of police officers are on the scene in central Liverpool
Hundreds of police officers are on the scene in central Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
Eyewitnesses claim the incident took place roughly 10 minutes after the victory parade bus had passed through that section of the route. The aftermath saw the crowd being dispersed as the location was teeming with attendees.
Police have now sealed off Water Street, and a North West Air Ambulance has touched down at the scene. A BBC News reporter present indicated 'at least three injured people had been taken away on stretchers'.
A statement from the North West Air Ambulance Service (NWAS) states: "NWAS is supporting an incident in Liverpool city center, following reports of a road traffic collision.
"We are currently assessing the situation and working with other members of the emergency services. Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible."
Ambulances and police vans arrive on the scene of an incident in Water Street, on the sidelines of an open-top bus victory parade for Liverpool's Premier League title win, in Liverpool, north-west England on May 26, 2025
Water Street is filled with police and other emergency personnel as they continue to investigate the incident (Image: Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
The Liverpool City Council has also issued an update: "We are currently liaising with Merseyside Police regarding an incident on Water Street in the city center."
Reds supporters by the thousands poured into the streets on Bank Holiday Monday to celebrate their club's 20th top-flight championship. Arne Slot's squad clinched the title well ahead of schedule, triumphing over Tottenham late in April with four matches yet to play.
They subsequently lifted the Premier League trophy at Anfield on Sunday, followed by the players celebrating with an estimated crowd of over half a million fans during an open-top bus parade.