A delivery driver confronted by roughly 20 youths on Edward Jenner Avenue in Bootle was defending himself, Merseyside Police have confirmed after an investigation.
The attack happened at about 6.50pm on Friday 19 June as the driver cycled towards an alleyway off the residential street. The group stopped him, grabbed his bicycle, and threw punches. An independent witness account verified that the driver fought back only while trying to escape. Officers arriving at the scene saw the youths acting aggressively, shouting at the driver and attempting to confront him, the force said.
Detective Superintendent Louise Birchall stated that extensive enquiries had been carried out. “We are satisfied that he had acted in self-defence,” she said. A force spokesperson urged people to avoid sharing unverified rumours online, where a false narrative of the incident had begun to circulate.
The incident follows other youth-related safety concerns in Sefton this year. In April 2026, Merseyside Police extended a stop and search order covering Netherton and Bootle after a separate episode of violence in the area.
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