'These pictures shame our city': Liverpool's leaders blast huge crowds who gathered on the streets and 'attacked police car' during last night of carnage before Tier 3 lockdown
- Hundreds of pubs in the northwest will be closed for four weeks after Liverpool was put into 'high alert'
- Photographs show party-goers enjoying their final night out before new coronavirus measures in Liverpool
- Locals will be allowed out of their areas for essential travel including for work, education or health reasons
- If a business is closed due to third tier restrictions the Government will pay two thirds of employee's salary
City leaders have hit out at huge crowds that gathered on the streets of Liverpool last night and 'attacked a police car' during an evening of carnage ahead of the new Tier 3 lockdown.
Liverpool and the neighbouring five boroughs which make up the city region will be under Tier 3 coronavirus measures from today, which include the closure of bars, pubs which do not serve meals, gyms, betting shops and casinos from 5pm.
Hundreds of pubs in the northwest will be closed for four weeks, with analysis suggesting as many as 1,500 businesses could be affected.
Shocking footage showed party-goers making the most of their final hours in the pub last night and, as the clock struck 10pm, revellers poured out into the streets, with one rowdy gathering seeing dozens of young people dancing and singing wildly while ignoring social distancing.
More disturbing footage showed a large crowd blocking a police car in the city centre, before appearing to throw drinks at it while shouting abuse.
Reacting to the images, Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson wrote on Twitter: 'These pictures shame our city, attacking our brave police officers is unacceptable.
'Our health service is creaking, 300 in hospital and 30 people dead in week. Ignoring these facts is why we are in Tier 3 measures.'
City centre councillor Nick Small wrote: 'Idiots putting themselves, their friends, families and everyone else at risk, destroying jobs and our hospitality sector while they do it.'
Therese Coffey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, told Sky News: 'I'm very saddened by it. It's a city where I grew up, it's a great city and of course the new rules are a big change for people but, frankly, I think it's irresponsible. I think it's disappointing and it's gathering like that which unfortunately don't help in any way to bring down the escalation of the virus.'
The city was calm this morning, following last night's chaotic scenes, with solitary drinkers enjoying a trip to pubs in the city centre ahead of the 5pm rule change.
From today, pubs will only be allowed to serve alcohol alongside a substantial meal and boozers in the city have already started preparations.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said Tier 3 restrictions need to be adhered to or the area would become 'overrun with sickness and death'.
A police car is surrounded by revellers in Liverpool last night, with reports it was attacked during the incident on the night before strict coronavirus restrictions are introduced in the city
Some revellers were a little worse for wear as they staggered home last night after enjoying one last night out before new coronavirus restrictions are introduced in Liverpool
Revellers in Liverpool city centre dance and party after leaving a pub at 10pm on the final night before tier 3 restrictions hit the city
Reacting to the images, Therese Coffey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, told Sky News: 'I'm very saddened by it'
A group of revellers enjoy boxes of chips as they head home on the night before restrictions force Liverpool's pubs to close
From 5pm on Wednesday, hundreds of pubs in the northwest will be closed for four weeks after Liverpool was moved straight into the top tier of lockdown. Pictured, revellers in Liverpool
Punters enjoy a pint with some food at The Richard John Blackler Wetherspoons pub in Liverpool today following the new restrictions being introduced
From 5pm, pubs in the city will be banned from selling alcohol unless it is served alongside a substantial meal, the government has said
A sign in The Richard John Blackler Wetherspoons pub in Liverpool states that alcohol will not be served until 11:30am, and only with a meal
Wetherspoons pub in Liverpool is almost empty this morning following the introduction of new restrictions in the Liverpool City Region to curb the spread of coronavirus in the city
Staff remove an umbrella from outside a bar the night before a local lockdown amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease
Karen Strickland who runs the Grapes Pub on Mathew Street places a town onto her pumps after serving drinks for the last time before lockdown
The manager of the Grapes pub in Liverpool, Karen Strickland, locks the doors behind her last customers of the nightBut he stressed during a virtual press conference that the restrictions had been 'done to us, not with us'.
The Labour politician said: 'I realise that people are frustrated with the new measures.
'No one wants to curtail the freedoms or damage the economy or the sectors in our city region and cause hardship for anyone.
'But we have Tier 3 restrictions in place from today and they are the law.
'We have to all abide by them, just as we did in March, and everybody needs to take it as seriously as we did back then. We had no choice but the alternative is to see our city region overrun with sickness and death.'
Mr Rotheram told a press conference that the Liverpool City Region would be topping up the 'furlough-lite' scheme announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak for Tier 3 areas.
He accused the Government of trying to do 'lockdown on the cheap in the North'.The region's mayor said: 'In its current form, the scheme is inadequate and risks putting tens of thousands of low-paid workers significantly below the national minimum wage.'
Mr Rotheram said the Prime Minister had committed to discussing further financial support and that the city leaders had asked for those talks to be 'accelerated'.
Announcing additional support in the meantime, he said a revised emergency stop gap scheme would 'take account that we are now in Tier 3', with extra support beyond £40 million announced almost a fortnight ago.
'We aim to improve on the furlough scheme announced by the Chancellor - furlough-lite - and we're going to have a local furlough and local support scheme that will do what the Government have failed to do,' said Mr Rotheram.
The scenes in the city were far calmer on Wednesday lunchtime following last night's chaos.
A witness to the carnage said: 'A large group of young partygoers who were defying every single social distancing rule imaginable attacked a police car on Concert Square.
'This event had a particularly big impact on me because it made clear that this second lockdown that Liverpool will find itself in from tomorrow will have the potential to unleash a very dangerous wave of riots and uprising of people that don't believe in coronavirus restrictions. This video might just be the start.'
Another picture of the crowds, posted to Snapchat, was captioned 'Herd immunity here we come'.
Separate footage shows parties breaking out all over the city, including one house party where revellers can be seen drinking and dancing.
The city has seen a rapid rise in coronavirus infections, and intensive care capacity in its hospitals is reported to be over 90% full, with Covid-19 patients making up an increasing proportion of patients.
Merseyside Police said in a statement: 'At 10pm tonight, Tuesday 13th October, officers were made aware of a large gathering of people in the Concert Square/Fleet Street area of Liverpool city centre.
'Officers were deployed to the area immediately and a large crowd was dispersed quickly and safely. All businesses in the area have now closed and the incident has been stood down.'
Chief Superintendent Peter Costello said: 'While we understand how the new rules which are due to be implemented on Wednesday are frustrating for some, we would continue to advise everyone to abide by them - including keeping social distancing - for the safety of everyone.'
According to the latest rules, locals will only be allowed out of their areas for essential travel such as for work, education or health, but they must return before the end of the day, with the country divided into 'medium', 'high' and 'very high' risk sectors.
Despite Liverpool's supposed lock down today, it was business as usual around the student area in Bold Street with mask-less crowds in the area
The scenes in the city were far calmer on Wednesday lunchtime following last night's chaos, with a police presence visibleThe region's mayor said: 'In its current form, the scheme is inadequate and risks putting tens of thousands of low-paid workers significantly below the national minimum wage.'
Mr Rotheram said the Prime Minister had committed to discussing further financial support and that the city leaders had asked for those talks to be 'accelerated'.
Announcing additional support in the meantime, he said a revised emergency stop gap scheme would 'take account that we are now in Tier 3', with extra support beyond £40 million announced almost a fortnight ago.
'We aim to improve on the furlough scheme announced by the Chancellor - furlough-lite - and we're going to have a local furlough and local support scheme that will do what the Government have failed to do,' said Mr Rotheram.
The scenes in the city were far calmer on Wednesday lunchtime following last night's chaos.
A witness to the carnage said: 'A large group of young partygoers who were defying every single social distancing rule imaginable attacked a police car on Concert Square.
'This event had a particularly big impact on me because it made clear that this second lockdown that Liverpool will find itself in from tomorrow will have the potential to unleash a very dangerous wave of riots and uprising of people that don't believe in coronavirus restrictions. This video might just be the start.'
Another picture of the crowds, posted to Snapchat, was captioned 'Herd immunity here we come'.
Separate footage shows parties breaking out all over the city, including one house party where revellers can be seen drinking and dancing.
The city has seen a rapid rise in coronavirus infections, and intensive care capacity in its hospitals is reported to be over 90% full, with Covid-19 patients making up an increasing proportion of patients.
Merseyside Police said in a statement: 'At 10pm tonight, Tuesday 13th October, officers were made aware of a large gathering of people in the Concert Square/Fleet Street area of Liverpool city centre.
'Officers were deployed to the area immediately and a large crowd was dispersed quickly and safely. All businesses in the area have now closed and the incident has been stood down.'
Chief Superintendent Peter Costello said: 'While we understand how the new rules which are due to be implemented on Wednesday are frustrating for some, we would continue to advise everyone to abide by them - including keeping social distancing - for the safety of everyone.'
According to the latest rules, locals will only be allowed out of their areas for essential travel such as for work, education or health, but they must return before the end of the day, with the country divided into 'medium', 'high' and 'very high' risk sectors.
Despite Liverpool's supposed lock down today, it was business as usual around the student area in Bold Street with mask-less crowds in the area
The scenes in the city were far calmer on Wednesday lunchtime following last night's chaos, with a police presence visibleThe region's mayor said: 'In its current form, the scheme is inadequate and risks putting tens of thousands of low-paid workers significantly below the national minimum wage.'
Mr Rotheram said the Prime Minister had committed to discussing further financial support and that the city leaders had asked for those talks to be 'accelerated'.
Announcing additional support in the meantime, he said a revised emergency stop gap scheme would 'take account that we are now in Tier 3', with extra support beyond £40 million announced almost a fortnight ago.
'We aim to improve on the furlough scheme announced by the Chancellor - furlough-lite - and we're going to have a local furlough and local support scheme that will do what the Government have failed to do,' said Mr Rotheram.
The scenes in the city were far calmer on Wednesday lunchtime following last night's chaos.
A witness to the carnage said: 'A large group of young partygoers who were defying every single social distancing rule imaginable attacked a police car on Concert Square.
'This event had a particularly big impact on me because it made clear that this second lockdown that Liverpool will find itself in from tomorrow will have the potential to unleash a very dangerous wave of riots and uprising of people that don't believe in coronavirus restrictions. This video might just be the start.'
Another picture of the crowds, posted to Snapchat, was captioned 'Herd immunity here we come'.
Separate footage shows parties breaking out all over the city, including one house party where revellers can be seen drinking and dancing.
The city has seen a rapid rise in coronavirus infections, and intensive care capacity in its hospitals is reported to be over 90% full, with Covid-19 patients making up an increasing proportion of patients.
Merseyside Police said in a statement: 'At 10pm tonight, Tuesday 13th October, officers were made aware of a large gathering of people in the Concert Square/Fleet Street area of Liverpool city centre.
'Officers were deployed to the area immediately and a large crowd was dispersed quickly and safely. All businesses in the area have now closed and the incident has been stood down.'
Chief Superintendent Peter Costello said: 'While we understand how the new rules which are due to be implemented on Wednesday are frustrating for some, we would continue to advise everyone to abide by them - including keeping social distancing - for the safety of everyone.'
According to the latest rules, locals will only be allowed out of their areas for essential travel such as for work, education or health, but they must return before the end of the day, with the country divided into 'medium', 'high' and 'very high' risk sectors.
Pubs' lights were turned off as the clock struck 10pm and revellers were booted out into the cold October night in Liverpool
Crowds made their way home at the end of the final night before increased restrictions in Liverpool this evening
Staff at the Richmond pub in Liverpool bring in tables and chairs as they clear away after one final night of revelry
Drinkers out in Liverpool before Tier 3 restrictions close bars and pubs from tomorrow. Liverpool is the only area in the top bracket of lockdown measures so far, and the city is going further than the basic restrictions by closing leisure centres, gyms, betting shops and casinos
If a business is closed due to third tier restrictions, the Government will pay two thirds of each employee's salary, up to a maximum of £2,100 a month, according to The Telegraph.
For tier two, households will not be allowed to mix indoors, similar to restrictions already in place in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, while tier one will be similar to the rules currently in place across the country.
Liverpool is the only area in the top bracket of lockdown measures so far, and the city is going further than the basic restrictions by closing leisure centres, gyms, betting shops and casinos.
Councillor Paul Brant, cabinet member for adult health and social care at Liverpool City Council, said intensive care in the city was now at 90% capacity as hospitals looked to deal with the second wave of Covid-19 infections.
Mr Brant told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Our intensive, critical care beds are filling up very fast.
'The most recent figures I've seen suggest they are over 90% full and our acute hospital trusts have occupancy levels of Covid-positive patients of over 250.
'At the current rate of increase, we would expect Liverpool to surpass the peak of the first wave probably within the next seven to 10 days.'
Addressing the intensive care situation, he added: 'They are not all Covid patients, I should say, but they are running very full and they are running with an increasing number of people who are Covid-positive.'
He added: 'It has become clear that the intensity of the demand on hospital services here in Liverpool is crowding out anything other than dealing with Covid.'
Data shows that Covid-19 infection rates at universities in hotspots like Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham are up to seven times higher than in the cities around them.
It comes after Number 10 was blasted for not 'following the science' after bombshell documents showed ministers shunned a number of recommendations by their expert advisers before unveiling the latest suite of lockdown measures.
The Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) put forward two dozen suggestions about how to navigate the country through a second wave of the pandemic in September - many of which fell on deaf ears.
Top of the list was a national 'circuit-breaker', which would've seen the country revert to a spring-level lockdown for about a month to bring the outbreak under control. But it was overruled by Boris Johnson amid fears it would 'shatter' the already wounded economy.
Photographs showed party-goers making the most of their final hours in the pub before the city is plunged into lockdown to try to limit the spread of coronavirus
Three women in Liverpool the night before new measures across the region are set to come into force after the six boroughs in the Liverpool City Region were placed in Tier 3, the highest level, of the government's new coronavirus warning system
People head home after pubs' 10pm curfew saw venues close for the final time before a four-week lockdown in Liverpool
Revellers appeared to be in high spirits as they enjoyed a night of drinking in pubs in Liverpool. All bars in the city will have to close from tomorrow
Bars open their doors on the final night in Liverpool, north west England on October 13 before new local lockdown measures are imposed to help stem a second wave of the novel coronavirus COVID-19
Outdoor seating was left empty in the street beside Sweeney's Bar in Liverpool as a rise in coronavirus cases in the city caused some to make the decision to stay away from venues
A packed heated outside area at a bar in Liverpool this evening. The Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) put forward two dozen suggestions about how to navigate the country through a second wave of the pandemic in September - many of which fell on deaf ears
People enjoy their drinks in The Bridewell pub amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Liverpool
Bars opened their doors for the final night in Liverpool before a four-week shut down to try to stem the spread of the disease
Millions of people are covered by the two higher risk tiers in the government's new system, with the rest of England under the Rule of Six and 10pm curfew on bars and restaurants
A news crew in a near deserted Matthews Street in Liverpool, the night before new measures across the region are set to come into force
A couple walks through Temple Court in Liverpool the night before new measures across the region are set to come into force
According to the latest rules, locals will only be allowed out of their areas for essential travel such as for work, education or health, but they must return before the end of the day, with the country divided into 'medium', 'high' and 'very high' risk sectors. Pictured, people walking past bars in Liverpool
Number 10 has repeatedly rolled out ministers to defend the lagging £12billion programme, which is still failing to find four in 10 people who are suspected of having the disease. Pictured, people out in Liverpool
Ministers also ignored warnings that the 10pm curfew would have 'marginal impact' and went ahead with the scheme anyway, angering hospitality bosses, local councillors and even their own backbenchers.
SAGE warned the Government's beleaguered Test and Trace system was having 'marginal impact on transmission at the moment'. They said the scheme will 'further decline' unless it grows at the same rate as the epidemic.
Number 10 has repeatedly rolled out ministers to defend the lagging £12billion programme, which is still failing to find four in 10 people who are suspected of having the disease.
The three files — released late last night — also revealed closing gyms and leisure centres would likely have 'low to moderate' impact on the spread of Covid-19 and risked harming people's mental and physical health.
Data shows that Covid-19 infection rates at universities in hotspots like Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham are up to seven times higher than in the cities around them. Pictured, women out in Sheffield tonight
For tier two, households will not be allowed to mix indoors, similar to restrictions already in place in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, while tier one will be similar to the rules currently in place across the country. Pictured, people out in Liverpool
Bars in Liverpool with have to close down for four weeks to curb the spread of coronavirus in the city. Pictured, revellers enjoying a drink inside a bar
Liverpool's bars and pubs will close at 10pm on Tuesday evening for the last time for four weeks after the Government unveiled its latest restrictions
SAGE warned the Government's beleaguered Test and Trace system was having 'marginal impact on transmission at the moment'. They said the scheme will 'further decline' unless it grows at the same rate as the epidemic. Pictured, a pub in Liverpool on Tuesday evening
SAGE told the Government on September 21 that a complete three-week shut down could reset the virus's trajectory, bring the reproduction 'R' rate below the dreaded level of one and give the country breathing room heading into winter. Pictured, a pub in Liverpool
Yet the Prime Minister announced yesterday that they would be shut in 'Tier Three' lockdown areas with highest infection rates, putting thousands of jobs in jeopardy.
The group warned in the September papers that hospital admissions for Covid-19 could reach levels seen in darkest days of the crisis in spring, when 3,000 a day were admitted, by the end of October if lockdown-tightening measures were not introduced. At the time the files were published, the spread of the virus was doubling every fortnight.
SAGE told the Government on September 21 that a complete three-week shut down could reset the virus's trajectory, bring the reproduction 'R' rate below the dreaded level of one and give the country breathing room heading into winter.
The experts on the same day said alcohol's effect on behaviour and the tendency for pub-goers to shout meant bars were likely breeding grounds for the virus. They endorsed the idea of shutting them entirely, which they say would bring the R down by 0.1 and 0.2. But they warned a curfew would only have a 'marginal impact'.
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