Water Street Incident: Full statement from Merseyside Police as man faces seven charges

Merseyside Police have given an update on the Water Street incident which took place on Monday during the LFC Parade, and the man arrested at the scene.

Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Simms was joined by Sarah Hammond from the Crown Prosecution Service at a press conference which shared the latest information about the man arrested on Water Street on Monday.

Paul Doyle, 53, from West Derby with seven offences including dangerous driving, grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving and causing bodily harm with intent.

The full statement from Ass Chief Constable, Jenny Simms:

“I want to provide an update to you all during what has been a very challenging week.  As always, our thoughts remain with all those injured and affected by the appalling incident that took place during the Liverpool Football Club Parade on Monday.

As you have heard from our CPS colleagues, the man arrested by Merseyside Police following the incident on Water Street has now been charged with seven serious offences.

Paul Desmond Sanders Doyle, 53 years, of Burghill Road, West Derby has this afternoon been charged with two counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm; two counts of causing unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm; two counts of attempted unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, all contrary to Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. He has been charged with one count of dangerous driving contrary to Section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Doyle has been remanded into custody and will appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court in the morning.

I fully understand how this incident has left us all shocked and saddened, and I know many will continue to have concerns and questions.

Our detectives are working tirelessly, with diligence and professionalism, to seek the answers to all those questions. When we are able to, we will provide further information.

Merseyside Police is determined to gather as much evidence as possible to ensure that every avenue is explored.

Now that Paul Doyle has been charged, we ask that the judicial process be allowed to continue without any speculation online or elsewhere that could impede the pursuit of justice for all those affected.

A total of 79 people who were injured continue to be in contact with our officers and staff, and seven people remain in hospital, receiving the expert care of our NHS colleagues. I hope that all of those who were injured, or witnessed this terrible incident are able – given time – to heal and recover.

This continues to be a large and complex investigation and detectives are reviewing a huge volume of CCTV and mobile phone footage submitted by the public and businesses, as well as footage from our own body worn cameras and dashcams.

We are extremely grateful for the ongoing cooperation of the public who have, and continue to, share their footage and witness accounts with detectives. Their input is vital to our ongoing enquiries.

I would encourage anyone who has not yet contacted police who may have relevant information to please come forward and contact us.

Information, including video footage, can be passed to us via the Major Incident Police Portal, details of which are available on our Merseyside Police website.

As always, my thoughts remain with victims and everyone impacted.”

Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire:

“The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised Merseyside Police to charge Paul Doyle, 53 from West Derby, Liverpool, with dangerous driving, causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, wounding with intent to cause GBH and attempted GBH, following a complex and ongoing investigation into an incident in Water Street, Liverpool on Monday 26 May, 2025. 

“The defendant will appear before Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Friday 30 May, 2025.

“The investigation is at an early stage. Prosecutors and police are continuing to work at pace to review a huge volume of evidence. 

“This includes multiple pieces of video footage and numerous witness statements. It is important to ensure every victim gets the justice they deserve.

“The charges will be kept under review as the investigation progresses.

“We know Monday’s shocking scenes reverberated around the city of Liverpool, and the entire country, on what should have been a day of celebration for hundreds of thousands of Liverpool FC supporters. Our thoughts remain with all those affected.

 “Criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information or media online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. 

“Please allow the legal process to take its course without undue speculation.”

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