PLEASE NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS FROM AUGUST 2011 AND IS IN THE GLOBE'S ONLINE ARCHIVE.

THE 'MOST READ' LISTING IS AUTOMATIC AS A HIGH NUMBER OF READERS RECENTLY HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR IT.

 

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HOPES that violence would not spread to Wirral appear to have been dashed tonight as a gang of up to 40 hooded have taken to the streets of Birkenhead.

Police used their vehicles to try to contain the gang in Claughton Road but the mob charged the officers and began damaging nearby property.

The mob then continued to rampage into the town centre, smashing windows at McDonalds in Grange Road.

Four people have been arrested for conspiracy to cause criminal damage.

Meanhwile in Liverpool police have closed Smithdown Road as a mob of around 200 rioters attacked officers with stones and other missiles.

An eye-witness to the Claughton Road incident said: "It was extremely menacing.

"The police had blocked them in with their vehicles and then the gang just charged towards them.

"I could hear stones and other debris thudding on the ground behind me. It was a really frightening experience."

The incident began at around 10.20pm - more later.