Police called to Knowsley Council after protestors ‘assaulted’

The force were called to the Municipal Buildings in Huyton just after 6.20pm on Wednesday as a full council meeting was taking place inside.

It was alleged that a security guard had pushed a protestor who was demonstrating outside the meeting and ‘snatched’ her mobile phone which she was using to film the protest, which was focused on plans to convert part of Whiston Woods to extend Knowsley Cemetery.

The woman and her sister have shared video of the incident with the Local Democracy Reporting Service which appears to show a confrontation with a male security guard in a high vis jacket. She said the footage shows the man pushing her sister and then ‘snatching’ her phone before walking off.

In the video a female voice can heard to say: “Don’t push. Don’t touch me” before adding ‘He’s taken my phone.”

A man’s voice can also be heard on the video and is heard to say: “Please, come one. Come on. Everyone come on let’s go. You want you phone back. Come on. Off site”

During the full council budget meeting, protesters could be heard from the chamber shouting and blaring horns. They said they were protesting plans to ‘turn Whiston Woods into a cemetery’ as they protested against planned developments.

However, when the meeting ended police could be seen in the car park of the municipal building interviewing a woman who claimed she had been ‘assaulted’ by a security guard.

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The two sisters said they turned up to the council building to make a ‘bit of noise’ and have done so for numerous meetings. However, they claim they were dealt with differently on this occasion and said a security guard ‘pushed’ both of them.

One woman said: “He snatched my phone off me and walked down the road out of sight with my phone.” She claimed the security guard then said she could have her phone back if she left.

Police were called soon afterwards and proceeded to interview the women. There was no sign of the security guard onsite at the time.

Knowsley Council have now released a statement confirming the security guard was supplied to them by an external agency and also published CCTV footage of the incident.

A Knowsley Council spokesperson said, “We are aware of allegations that an incident took place outside the council building last night whilst the council’s budget meeting was taking place.

“It has been claimed that a protester was attacked by a security guard, who had been provided by an external agency to the council.

“Given the serious nature of the allegations, we immediately contacted Merseyside Police and asked them to attend. We have also obtained the CCTV footage, and we have shared it with Merseyside Police.

“Given the apparent media and public interest in this issue, the footage of the alleged incident has been uploaded on to Knowsley News today in order for people to see what happened. To protect those involved, a redacted version of the footage has been shared.

“As well as the interaction between the Security Guard and a protester, we are particularly concerned that the protesters appear to have been encouraging children to put themselves at risk by climbing on buildings.

“The matter is now with Merseyside Police for them to determine whether any offences occurred.”

Police are investigating the alleged assault (Image: Stock)

A statement from Merseyside Police confirmed they are investigating a report of ‘assault’ in Huyton. It said: “Just after 6.20pm it was reported that a woman was approached by a security guard who pushed her and took her speaker and mobile phone during a protest outside a council building on Westmoreland Road.”

The statement added: “Officers have carried out witness inquiries in the local area and are analysing CCTV footage for further information.

“Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook with reference 24000232552.”