Man arrested after bricks thrown at moving vehicles in Liverpool

Key Points

On Sunday 20 September 2026, a 39-year-old man has been arrested for pelting traffic with bricks on Great Howard Street, Liverpool.
There have been seven incidents of damage to vehicles, including smashed windscreens and dents in bonnets and doors.
One van driver sustained injuries when the brick shattered his window, cutting his arm.
Police dog Poppy followed the suspect, who had attempted to conceal himself in a bush nearby, and helped make the arrest.
The man, who has no fixed address, is being detained on suspicion of seven charges of criminal damage and reckless endangerment of life.
Keith Kellett, Inspector from Merseyside Police, commented that the crime is “extremely dangerous and mindless,” but that it was lucky that no greater harm came from it.
Merseyside Police are appealing for any witnesses on social media, the police website, 101, and 0800 555 111.

Liverpool Crime (Liverpool standard) September 2026 – A man has been arrested after bricks were thrown at moving vehicles on a busy Liverpool road, injuring a driver and damaging seven cars and vans.

Merseyside Police said they received multiple reports of a man throwing bricks at passing traffic at around 11.30am on Sunday 20 September on Great Howard Street, near Costco. During one attack, a brick smashed through a van’s windscreen and cut the driver’s arm. Other vehicles suffered smashed windscreens and dents to bonnets and doors.

Officers attended the scene and, despite the suspect attempting to hide in a nearby bush, police dog Poppy tracked him down and he was detained. A 39-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of seven counts of criminal damage and recklessly endangering life, and remains in police custody for questioning.

What happened on Great Howard Street?

As reported by Owen Arands of Hits Radio Liverpool, Merseyside Police said several reports came in of a man throwing bricks at cars and vans on Great Howard Street, near Costco, at around 11.30am on Sunday 20 September. The force confirmed that during one of the attacks a van driver was injured when a brick went through his window and cut his arm. Damage to other vehicles included smashed windscreens and dents to bonnets and doors.

Officers responded quickly to the scene. According to the police account cited by Arands, the suspect tried to hide in a nearby bush but was tracked down by police dog Poppy and detained.

Who was arrested and what are the charges?

A 39-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of seven counts of criminal damage and recklessly endangering life. He remains in police custody while officers question him about his possible involvement.

Inspector Keith Kellett, speaking in a statement relayed by Hits Radio Liverpool, said: “This was an incredibly dangerous and mindless incident which involved a male throwing bricks at passing vehicles on a busy road.” He added: “Not only did he cause significant damage to vans and cars, but he also injured a driver. It’s only through fortune that this didn’t lead to more serious injuries.”

Kellett said officers responded quickly and managed to detain a suspect at the scene who will now be questioned about his possible involvement.

How did police catch the suspect?

According to the account provided by Merseyside Police and reported by Owen Arands of Hits Radio Liverpool, officers attended the scene after receiving several emergency and non-emergency reports of bricks being thrown at traffic. The suspect attempted to evade capture by hiding in a nearby bush. Police dog Poppy was deployed and tracked the man down, leading to his detention.

The use of a police dog to locate a suspect attempting to conceal themselves in vegetation is consistent with standard Merseyside Police tactics for rapid containment of public-safety threats on busy roads.

What damage and injuries were caused?

Merseyside Police confirmed that seven vehicles were damaged in the incident. The damage included smashed windscreens and dents to bonnets and doors across multiple cars and vans. One van driver sustained an injury when a brick penetrated his vehicle’s window and cut his arm.

Inspector Kellett emphasised the potential severity, stating that it was “only through fortune” that the incident did not lead to more serious injuries, given the speed of traffic and the nature of the projectiles.

What have police said about the incident?

Inspector Keith Kellett described the episode as “an incredibly dangerous and mindless incident which involved a male throwing bricks at passing vehicles on a busy road”. He noted that the suspect “caused significant damage to vans and cars” and also “injured a driver”.

Kellett added:

“It’s only through fortune that this didn’t lead to more serious injuries.”

He praised the response of officers, saying they “responded quickly and managed to detain a suspect at the scene who will now be questioned about his possible involvement”.

How can the public help the investigation?

Merseyside Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. As set out in the force’s statement and reported by Hits Radio Liverpool, members of the public can contact officers via social media on X or Facebook @MerPolCC, through the force’s website, or by calling 101.

Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The force has not released the suspect’s name, in line with standard procedure while he remains in custody and questioning is ongoing.

Background to the development

Incidents involving objects thrown at moving vehicles are treated as high-risk by UK police forces because even small projectiles can cause loss of control, serious collisions, or severe injury to drivers and passengers. Great Howard Street is a busy arterial route in north Liverpool, with frequent HGV and van traffic serving nearby industrial and retail sites, including the Costco warehouse cited in police accounts.

Merseyside Police have previously warned about the dangers of missile attacks on roads, particularly where offenders target high-speed or congested traffic. The arrest of a 39-year-old man on suspicion of seven counts of criminal damage and recklessly endangering life reflects the seriousness with which such behaviour is pursued under English law, where endangering life can carry significant custodial sentences if charges are proven.

Prediction: how this could affect drivers and local residents

If similar incidents recur on Great Howard Street or adjacent routes, drivers and local residents may face heightened anxiety, increased insurance claims, and potential road closures while police investigate. Commercial operators, including delivery vans and HGVs that rely on this corridor, could see route disruptions and higher operational costs if additional patrols or temporary traffic measures are introduced.

For local residents, a visible police response and possible anti-missile measures—such as improved lighting, CCTV, or community reporting drives—may improve perceived safety but could also increase stop-and-search activity in the short term. Over time, successful prosecution and clear communication from Merseyside Police are likely to deter copycat behaviour and restore confidence among road users in north Liverpool.