Police have confirmed a "dedicated investigation team" has been set up after a police van was torched as hundreds gathered outside the Suites Hotel last Friday.
A dispersal zone has been put in place today in the area in Knowsley where a protest took place last week. Police will be given extra powers from 1pm on Friday, February 17 for for 48 hours until 12.59pm on Sunday, February 19.
The order comes under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, which gives police officers and police community support traffic officers powers to move people out of the area. These powers will not be used for anyone going about their daily business, police said.
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The powers are for people who are "engaging in antisocial behaviour or criminality or are likely to do so". Last week Merseyside Police arrested 15 people aged between 13 and 54 on suspicion of offences including violent disorder and assault.
They said an initially peaceful protest was followed by scenes of disorder by people who "turned up" and "were only interested in causing trouble through violence and intimidation."
A Matrix van was set on fire and police said lit fireworks were fire at the hotel and at police. Protests were sparked by claims about an alleged incident on social media, which Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said at the time was under investigation.
She said on Saturday: "We understand that prior to this happening last night there were rumours, and misinformation, being circulated on social media following an incident earlier in the week. I am mindful of the risks that rumour and speculation bring and want to reassure the public that we are aware of an incident which happened at the beginning of the week and an investigation is ongoing.
“Detectives are investigating reports of an incident which occurred in Kirkby on Monday, 6 February, when a man made inappropriate advances toward a teenage girl. This was reported by members of the public to police, but no victim was initially identified. Following enquiries, a man in his 20s, was arrested on Thursday, 9 February, in another part of the country on suspicion of a public order offence. A file was submitted to the CPS and on their advice he was released with no further action.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that this is very much an ongoing investigation, and we would urge anyone who witnessed this incident, or who has any information, which could help us bring the offender to justice, to come forward."
The area covered by the Dispersal Zone is shown on the map below, and includes: All areas within, including and bounded Moorgate Road North, Green land joining Alchemy Way, crossing A580 East Lancashire Road, crossing green land & joining Ainsworth Lane, Penrhyn Road, School Lane, joining & including Randles Farm Interchange (M57 roundabout) crossing green land to re-join A580 East Lancashire road Eastbound to the junction of Moorgate Road North.
Superintendent Karl Baldwin from Knowsley Local Policing, said: "This is the fourth Dispersal Zone we have issued since the violent scenes on Friday 10 February. This shows how serious and determined we are to prevent any repeat of what happened last week.
"Since the disorder, Merseyside Police has set up a dedicated investigation team to identify and bring to justice all those involved. I want to stress that this order is not designed to stop residents of Knowsley from going about their lawful business, but it gives us the powers we need to deal effectively with criminal behaviour and keep the community safe.
"Additional patrols will be in the area to enforce the Dispersal Zone and to reassure the community, so if you have any concerns or wish to provide information please speak to our officers out on patrol or contact us so we can take action. Those not heeding the instruction to disperse within a Dispersal Zone may be arrested."
After last Friday's events one man, 19-year-old Jared Skeete, has been charged with assaulting an emergency worker and violent disorder.
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