Key Points
- Merseyside Police was informed at around 4.15pm on Friday, October 2, that masked men were pursuing another set of people close to Tower Hill Park in Kirkby.
- A few of the masked men reportedly had knives on them, the police added.
- According to police, no assault has been reported from the above-mentioned incident.
- The police have visited the scene, initiated an inquiry, and are conducting forensics and CCTV investigations.
- The Section 60 Order was put in place at 5.30pm on Friday and continues till 5.30pm on Saturday, October 3.
- This allows searches of individuals and motor vehicles who might be involved in criminal activities or disturbances.
- This order includes Kirkby Train Station, part of Northwood, Mill Dam Park, and the Simonswood Estate.
- Moreover, this allows searches of male persons between the ages of 14 and 24, belonging to any race, if they appear to be involved in criminal activity.
- According to Inspector Louie Lyons, all witnesses should come forward as the police is making extensive inquiries.
Liverpool (Liverpool standard) October 3, 2026 – Merseyside Police have introduced extra stop-and-search powers in parts of Kirkby after a group of men with covered faces were reported chasing another group near Tower Hill Park, with some said to be carrying knives. As reported by the Liverpool Echo, police said the report was received at around 4.15pm on Friday, October 2.
The force said officers attended the scene after receiving a description of males with their faces covered, some of whom were in possession of knives. Police said no reports of assault had been lodged, but an investigation is under way.
Forensic and CCTV enquiries are being carried out as officers work to establish the full circumstances of the incident and locate those involved.
Why have police imposed extra powers?
Merseyside Police introduced a Section 60 Order at 5.30pm on Friday as part of its initial response. The order will remain in place until 5.30pm on Saturday, October 3.
A Section 60 Order gives officers additional powers to search vehicles and people suspected of involvement in criminality and disorder.
The authorised area includes Kirkby Train Station, parts of Northwood, the Mill Dam Park area and the Simonswood Estate.
The order also authorises the search of all males aged between 14 and 24, of any ethnicity, in the vicinity if they are believed to be involved in criminality.
What did police say?
Inspector Louie Lyons said the investigation was at a very early stage and appealed for information from the public. As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Inspector Lyons said: “We are in the very early stages of investigating this incident and keen to speak to anyone who might have witnessed any part of it or captured CCTV or dashcam.”
He added:
“We take any incident involving knives being carried as weapons on our streets extremely seriously, and I would like to reassure the public that our officers are undertaking extensive enquiries to bring those responsible to justice.”
Inspector Lyons described the Section 60 Order as one of several measures being used to disrupt people carrying weapons in the community. He said the force aimed to protect those involved from causing harm to themselves, each other or the wider public.
Has anyone been injured or arrested?
Police have not confirmed any injuries, arrests or charges in connection with the reported chase. The force said no reports of assault had been lodged at the time of its statement.
The investigation remains active, with police seeking to establish what happened and identify those involved.
How can witnesses help?
Merseyside Police are asking anyone who witnessed any part of the incident, or who has CCTV, dashcam or other relevant footage, to contact them.
The force said it is keen to speak to anyone who may have information that could assist its enquiries.
Background of the development
Tower Hill Park is in Kirkby, a town in the Knowsley area of Merseyside. The latest police action follows a report of a confrontation involving masked males and knives near the park, although the force has said no assault was reported.
Section 60 Orders are temporary police powers that can be used where there are grounds to believe serious violence may occur or that people are carrying offensive weapons or dangerous instruments in a locality. In this case, Merseyside Police said the order was introduced to disrupt weapon-carrying and protect the public.
The order’s coverage extends beyond Tower Hill Park to include Kirkby Train Station, parts of Northwood, Mill Dam Park and the Simonswood Estate.
Prediction: How this may affect Kirkby residents
For Kirkby residents, the immediate effect is likely to be a more visible police presence and increased stop-and-search activity in the areas covered by the order until Saturday evening. People aged 14 to 24 in the designated area may be searched if officers believe they are involved in criminality, which could affect young people travelling through the station, Northwood, Mill Dam Park or Simonswood Estate.
Local businesses, commuters and families may also notice heightened policing around Tower Hill Park and nearby transport routes. The investigation’s outcome will depend on witness accounts and CCTV or dashcam footage, and police have indicated that further action could follow if those responsible are identified.
