More than £90,000 raised for library that was set on fire during violent disorder

More than £90,000 has been raised to help a Liverpool library that was torched during violent disorder over the weekend.

Merseyside Police said about 300 people were involved in unrest on County Road, Walton, which included community facilities being set on fire.

Spellow Lane Library Hub suffered severe fire damage to its ground floor during the criminal rampage on Saturday.

Police said when firefighters arrived at the scene, rioters attempted to prevent the emergency crews from accessing the blaze.

They also threw a missile at the fire engine and broke the rear window of the cab.

Television presenter Carol Vorderman was among those who took to social media to condemn the riots around the library, posting on X: “Attacking police and firefighters! Utter disgrace.”

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The force said the hub, which also serves as a food bank, was opened last year to provide support to one of the most deprived communities in the country.

Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said: “This has been heartbreaking for our staff and local residents who have worked so hard to make it such an important community asset.

“We are undertaking urgent assessments of the building and making arrangements to temporarily deliver services from other nearby locations.

“I would like to thank the very many residents who have been in touch with supportive messages to express their disgust at what has happened, and have offered to help in any way they can.”

A GoFundMe page has since been set up, with more than £90,000 raised so far – smashing the £500 target.

Organiser Alex McCormick wrote: “Our city is a sad place at the minute, much like the rest of the country.

“But it makes me heartbroken to think that children will miss out on an opportunity to read and explore new books and stories in a community space which is meant to be safe for them and their families, especially over the summer holidays.”

Ms McCormick added that the money will be used to replenish the books lost in the fire and repair the space.

Donating £10, one man wrote: “We didn’t let Nazis get away with burning books in the ’40s and we won’t now.”

A woman, who also donated £10, added: “Every book lover in the world is rooting for you Spellow Lane. May a beautiful garden of discovery and knowledge grow from these ashes of hubris.”

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In an update on Monday evening, Ms McCormick said it had been an “incredible, insane and overwhelming 24 hours”.

She added: “There’s not much I can say – I don’t think words would ever do this level of community and generosity justice.

“However, I hope that this has brought some light to a very dark week, and has restored people’s faith that there is, and always will be, good people.”

Violence and disorder broke out in several cities over the weekend after the far-right initially targeted Southport last week in response to three girls being killed in a knife attack in the Merseyside town.

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A number of people have since appeared in the dock in connection with the riots.

Two brothers appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court earlier on Monday accused of crimes relating to the Spellow Lane Library Hub disorder.

Adam Wharton, 28, admitted burglary with intent to steal.

His younger brother Ellis Wharton, 22, admitted trying to steal a computer screen from the library – but denied assaulting a police officer.

District Judge Timothy Boswell remanded both in custody ahead of their next appearance at Liverpool Crown Court on 29 August.

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