A schoolgirl said she's "terrified" to make her own way to school after her friend was assaulted.
The parent of a pupil in Lord Derby Academy, on Seel Road, Huyton, said a gang of teenage boys had been targeting schoolchildren. Police confirmed that, at around 3.10pm on Monday, July 10, they were called to reports of a gang of teenagers on bikes spraying children. Merseyside Police said tests had confirmed the substance was soap and water.
They also confirmed they were called to an incident at 8.15am, on Cavendish Walk, after a girl was sprayed by a gang of teens on bikes. She was taken to hospital as a precaution. A 15-year-old boy, from Huyton, has since been arrested on suspicion of assault and was taken to hospital for further assessment. He has since been released on conditional bail.
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One child was taken to hospital as a precaution with skin irritation and later released.
A parent of a child in the school said her daughter is now “terrified” to go to school after her friend had “bleach” thrown over her. Police said at this stage they do not believe the substance to be noxious.
The parent said they were waiting for their daughter to come out of school but she was late because school staff had kept the gates closed while police dealt with the incident.
They said: "She was out later as the school kept the gates closed for a bit as four or five boys on bikes were in the alley next to the school. When they then opened the gate the kids all started to walk down the alleyway and the boys on bikes started throwing bleach.
"My daughter told me one swore at her and told her he would hurt her if she didn’t move. Later on that evening my daughter's friend's mum told me her daughter was standing at the bus station in Huyton and one of these boys poured a bottle of bleach on her head.
"A man who worked in the bus station took her into the toilet to put water on her as the bleach was burning her eyes and face."
They added: “My daughter is only in year seven and these boys seemed to be around 15 or 16. I now have to take my daughter to school as she is terrified.”
Headteacher at Lord Derby Academy, Miss Gowan told the ECHO: "The safety of pupils and staff at Lord Derby Academy is always our number one priority.
"Staff and the police responded quickly to the highly unusual situation which occurred in the local vicinity on 10th July 2023. Leaders will continue to work in partnership with other agencies and our families to keep our school community safe."
Superintendent Karl Baldwin said: “While the exact motive remains unclear, we do not believe there is a wider threat to the community following this incident.
“Nevertheless, this was a thoughtless and anti-social act that scared and intimidated people. It is not acceptable. We are making good progress identifying those involved and we will do all we can to ensure that they are held accountable for their actions.
“I would make an appeal to parents. Please speak to your children about their behaviour. This isn’t clever or funny. Antisocial behaviour has long lasting effects on people.
"Merseyside Police will not tolerate it and will take action against those responsible for committing it. If your child was involved, do the right thing and come forward.”
Enquiries are ongoing to find out what substance was used in the other reported incident. A spokesperson said: "If you saw these incidents or the teenage boys involved and have any information, please contact @MerPolCC quoting log 696 of Monday 7 July. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: Give information anonymously | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org)."
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