Prime Minister Keir Starmer issues statement after car drives into crowd at Liverpool parade

TW: Distressing content

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has released a statement on the incident in Liverpool city centre yesterday.

A 53-year-old man was detained after he drove a car into crowds out celebrating Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade, shortly after 6pm.

The PM has since describe the event as “appalling”, with Liverpool FC also releasing a statement following the news.

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…

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 26, 2025

Emergency services rushed Water Street just after 6pm on Monday 26 May, following reports of a car driving through crowds of people celebrating the football club’s league victory.

A number of people were hit by the car, with 27 people being injured and a child and an adult being seriously hurt.

Merseyside Police detained and arrested a 53 year-old white British man suspected of injuring multiple pedestrians during the celebrations.

In a statement shared online about the incident in Liverpool, Prime Minister Keir Starmer extended his thoughts to “those injured or affected”. He said: “The scenes in Liverpool are appalling – my thoughts are with all those injured or affected.”

Extending gratitude to the emergency response, he added: “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.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also described the scenes in Liverpool as “truly shocking”.

She added: “Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response to the truly shocking and horrendous scenes in Liverpool this evening.

“Thinking of all those affected at this very difficult time. The police are investigating and I’m being kept updated on developments.”

Most Read

Police release statement after influencer Emilie Kiser’s son tragically drowns in pool

Julianne Moore, Milly Alcock and Meghann Fahy explain the ending of Netflix’s Sirens

Paul is apparently dating someone after MAFS Australia and erm, you might recognise her

Shortly after, Liverpool FC also released a statement on X, where it confirmed it was in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident.

We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident.

We will continue to offer… pic.twitter.com/xreiSqiEnL

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 26, 2025

In a Tweet, it wrote: “We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier [yesterday] evening.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident. We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident.”

Liverpool FC fans have been following the parade throughout the day as the team bus went from Allerton Road to the Royal Albert Dock in celebration of the club securing the Premier League title this season.

Merseyside Police reported that the unnamed driver was spotted travelling along Water Street before crashing into a large number of pedestrians in the area.

In footage widely circulating online, spectators can be seen running in terror as the car drives directly into them. A number of pedestrians are pushed onto the bonnet of the car as it continues to drive forward.

Filming above from an nearby building, those behind the camera can be heard saying “Oh my god, what the f*ck”.

via TikTok

A number of pedestrians can then be seen swarming around the car as it begins to slow and eventually stops on the scene.

Eyewitnesses have reported hearing “screams” during the incident.

In a recent statement about the incident involving a car in Liverpool, the Northwest Ambulance Service said that it was “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” the statement added.

Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson, whose seat includes the city centre, said: “I sincerely hope all those involved are safe and get hope to their loved ones soon.”

Authorities have since released statements in full, which detail the events leading up to the incident and the emergency response thereafter.

The King has also released a statement on behalf of himself and his wife, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales.