You will be aware that on 29 October Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, the man charged with the murders of Bebe King, Elsie Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar and the attempted murders of ten other people has now also been charged with two further offences.

On 30 October, he appeared before Westminster Magistrates Court for charges made under the Biological Weapons Act and the Terrorism Act.

These charges were made following extensive investigations by Merseyside Police and close work with the Crown Prosecution Service.

As we saw in the summer, racism, Islamophobia and misinformation spreading, and spreading online in particular, can result in actions which have a devastating effect on our communities.

There are rumours circulating that the Police have not been open and transparent. This is not the case. As with any situation such as this there is a need to preserve the integrity of the investigation and the court proceedings.

We want to reassure you of our commitment to working together to prevent August’s scenes of unrest happening again. Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police and our wider partners continue to work together to support our communities, making sure that everyone can live freely and safely in Liverpool and the wider region.

We have no intelligence at this time to suggest that there are any local issues. But partners across the region are monitoring the situation.

If you are aware of any misinformation about or related to these recent developments or have any concerns please contact the Police via the portal here or speak to someone you trust in the council.

The fact that, to date, Merseyside Police have made 130 arrests, charged 97 people and secured 78 sentences totalling 164 years, with investigations continuing, should send the message that the violent, racist disorder seen in August has no place in our communities.

As we have shown time and time again we are at our strongest when we stand together. Thank you for your continued support to our communities.

Best wishes,

Chief Superintendent Zoe Thornton, Head of Local Policing City, Merseyside Police & Jo Richmond, Director for Safer City and Communities, Liverpool City Council