Police draw a blank over city bus attack
MERSEYSIDE Police claims it has ‘exhausted its current lines of inquiry’ over the attack on the Manchester City team coach.
The Blues’ bus came under a barrage of missiles, including bottles, ahead of their Champions League quarterfinal at Anfield in April.
The coach was damaged to the extent that a replacement had to be provided to take the City players home again, and several police officers were injured.
The police requested mobile phone footage and studied CCTV footage but no arrests have been made.
In a statement released yesterday, they announced that: “Merseyside Police has concluded viewing CCTV footage of disorder at the Liverpool v Manchester City UEFA Champions League quarter-final in April this year.
“The force, working with both football clubs, has exhausted its current lines of inquiry after sifting through hours of CCTV and mobile phone footage provided by members of the public.”
Assistant chief constable Ian Critchley, said: “There were a group of people intent on causing trouble and a number of items, including flares were thrown at the team coach.
“Thankfully no-one on the bus, or any members of the public, were injured. Unfortunately, several of our officers sustained injuries when projectiles were thrown towards the bus.
“It is testament to them that they carried out their duty to ensure the match went ahead. “Following the incident detectives carried out an extensive investigation, which included viewing more than 130 hours of CCTV, body worn camera and phone footage, and we worked with both football clubs to obtain information and evidence, in order to identify those involved. “Unfortunately there was no further footage from those on the coach and the other footage viewed by detectives was either clouded by smoke from flares thrown during the disorder, or didn’t show the faces of those involved.
“This was an act of serious disorder by people, who spoiled what should have been a celebratory event for genuine football goers.
“We are disappointed at this time that no-one has been brought to justice and would re-appeal to anyone who was at the ground on April 4, who witnessed this appalling behaviour, and has information which could help us identify those involved, to contact us.”