Detectives have ‘identified’ people from areas outside Merseyside, including Blackburn, Bradford, Chester, Manchester, Ormskirk, Preston, Runcorn, Telford and Wigan they wish ti speak withThe new CCTV appeal(Image: Merseyside Police)

Police investigating the rioting in Southport last summer today issued a direct plea to the public of Greater Manchester.

Detectives said many of those who were involved in the widespread disorder travelled into the area – and warned arrest numbers ‘are only going to go up’.

New CCTV images of 44 people police want to speak with have now been published.

Disorder broke out after the murder of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29, 2024. During the subsequent riots, mosques, community centres and libraries were attacked and hotels housing asylum seekers were also targeted. Missiles were thrown at police, fires lit and buildings and cars damaged.

So far, 200 people have been arrested, with 153 charged and 140 sentenced to a combined 263 years and ten months in prison, police said.

Police officers walk past a burnt-out car(Image: PA)

A man from Rochdale was identified and arrested last month as part of a similar CCTV appeal, said Merseyside Police.

Detectives said they have ‘identified’ people from areas outside Merseyside, including Blackburn, Bradford, Chester, Manchester, Ormskirk, Preston, Runcorn, Telford and Wigan.

“Some of the people featured in these latest images could be living in Merseyside, but it’s also possible that many are currently in other areas,” said a force spokesperson. “We are therefore asking the public to share this appeal so it reaches as many people as possible.

“If you live outside of our force area, specifically in the communities listed above, please take the time to look at each person featured in the collages because you may know one or more of them and be able to provide us with vital information. Similarly, if you recognise yourself in any of the pictures, come forward and let us know like other people have done over the past nine months.

Police have issued an appeal in Greater Manchester(Image: Merseyside Police)

“Our investigation into the shocking disorder is ongoing and so far, 200 people have been arrested, with 153 charged and 140 sentenced to a combined 263 years and ten months in prison. These numbers are only going to go up as we continue to investigate, and we are determined to find every single person who took part.”

Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “We know that many people involved in the despicable disorder last year had travelled to Southport and Liverpool from other areas. Although we are still focussed on identifying people from Merseyside and rightly so, we also believe that many of the people still outstanding live in other parts of the country.

Anyone with information should come forward(Image: Merseyside Police)

“That’s why it’s really important that those who live in these communities view and share our ongoing CCTV appeals so we can continue to identify everyone involved. It’s believed that the people featured in our latest CCTV appeal could be from areas of Blackburn, Bradford, Chester, Manchester, Merseyside, Ormskirk, Preston, Runcorn, Telford, Wigan. We believe they could have information to assist our ongoing inquiries.

“If you live in any of these locations, or the surrounding areas, please take the time to have a look at the images and come forward if you recognise any of them.”

In January, Axel Rudakubana was given a life sentence, with a minimum term of 52 years, for the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.

Call 101 or DM @MerpolCC with reference 24000663787. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.