I know we've still got the European Cup final to come but having heard our top copper on the telly today, it's well worth noting for people coming to the city to make your visit here as early as possible.
Merseyside Police have issued advice for people in Liverpool over the Champions League final weekend.
Liverpool face Real Madrid in the final in Paris on Saturday (May 28) night, as Jürgen Klopp's side hope to win their third trophy of the season. The game will be screened at venues across Merseyside and regardless of the result, the Liverpool squad will be paraded through the streets of the city on Sunday (May 29).
Expecting many people to be out and about, there will be extra police presence in the city over the weekend. Chief Superintendent Jonathan Davies said: "We know this weekend will be a very busy time for our region’s pubs, clubs and bars and we want people to come into our city and enjoy themselves.
READ MORE: 'Klopp's Street' where nans have spent hundreds decorating for the Champions League final
"We are expecting large numbers of people to come into the city centre to watch the Champions League final at various venues and our message is - take some simple steps; keep your bags fastened and phones hidden, drink responsibly and plan your journey home in advance.
“It’s an evening kick off so make sure you pace yourself and stay with your friends. Make it a night to remember, not a night to forget."
Sunday's parade, which has been organised by Culture Liverpool, is due to start at 4pm. It will follow a nine mile route, starting at Allerton Maze and concluding at Blundell Street in Liverpool city centre.
Liverpool City Council's advice for fans at the parade
If you live along, or close to the parade route, stay local and walk or cycle - this may give you the best vantage point and means you can avoid a busy transport network
Decide which part of the route you want to wait at and arrive in plenty of time
Be patient – it is impossible to predict how long it will take the team bus to travel along the route
Due to the high volume of people expected the transport network will be very busy. Prepare to queue and factor this in
Check bus and train times and availability and purchase travel tickets in advance
If you must drive in and out of the area please make yourselves aware of which roads are affected
Chief Superintendent Davies said: “We expect a large number of people to gather along the parade route on Sunday. We will be supporting Liverpool City Council, who are organising the event, with the running and policing on the day to ensure the event goes ahead safely and disruption to regular road users is minimal.
“We would echo the city council’s request that people stay away from the city centre where possible to avoid overcrowding and added pressure on the transport network. There are a number of less busy locations from which to enjoy the day.
“It is worth noting that due to planned industrial action there will be no TransPennine Express trains running on Sunday. Northern Rail will also be running reduced services.
“James Street and Lime Street (lower level) will be closed all day and there will be crowd control queueing measures in place at Lime Street main station. For passengers travelling on Merseyrail services into Liverpool city centre, Northern line trains will call at Moorfields only and Wirral line trains will call at Liverpool Central only."The Strand will be closed northbound from Leeds Street / Old Hall Street junction to Blundell Street junction from 7am until it is safe to reopen. The southbound carriageway will be closed from approx 1pm subject to crowd safety requirements.
“While we know that everyone will want to have the best possible view of the parade we would urge people not to climb onto vantage points along the route as it is dangerous and you could harm yourself or others. Flares and fireworks can also cause serious injury to people and damage property and we would ask people not to bring them to the event but instead enjoy the animation along the route provided by the event organisers.
“Rolling road closures will be put in place to accommodate the parade and although we will work with Liverpool City Council to keep disruption to a minimum, some traffic disruption is inevitable and we would ask motorists to be patient, or avoid the area of parade route if possible.
“Please also be aware that the gathering of crowds along the route will cause disruption to the transport network, both in the period up to the start of the parade, during it and afterwards as services work to get back to normal. So, where possible, plan your journey home earlier and give yourself plenty of time.”
Merseyside Police's advice for visitors to the city
Take care of your valuables
When carrying a bag or handbag, check it's closed with the opening facing towards your body, especially in crowded areas.
Separate a little money from your handbag. That way, if your bag does get stolen, you can still get home.
For men, keep your wallet or valuables out of sight if you can - use an inside buttoned pocket in your coat or jacket.
Cash Points & carrying money
Take care at cash points. Think about when you need to withdraw cash
Don't use cashpoints when you have been drinking
If you see somebody suspicious hanging around the cashpoint, walk away and go back later
Only take what you need, don't walk around with bundles of cash in your pockets
Don't keep your PIN number with your cashcard
Report any theft or loss immediately to your bank and the police
Travel (Sunday)
The Strand will be closed northbound from Leeds Street/Old Hall Street junction to Blundell Street junction from 7am until it is safe to reopen
The southbound carriageway will be closed from approx 1pm subject to crowd safety requirements
Mersey Ferries are running a half hourly shuttle service from 1pm to 9pm between Woodside and Liverpool
The Queensway (Birkenhead) tunnel will be temporarily closed to traffic heading to Liverpool between 12 noon and 9pm
The Kingsway (Wallasey) tunnel will operate as normal but is expected to be very busy so allow more time for your journey
There will be no TransPennine Express trains running on Sunday. Northern Rail will also be running reduced services.
James Street and Lime Street (lower level) will be closed all day and there will be crowd control queueing measures in place at Lime Street main station.
For passengers travelling on Merseyrail services into Liverpool city centre, Northern line trains will call at Moorfields only and Wirral line trains will call at Liverpool Central only.
If you are using public transport, check direct with transport operators and
www.merseytravel.gov.uk for detailed information on bus, rail, Mersey Ferries and Mersey Tunnels
Lost children
Parents/ carers / guardians – plan ahead and take a photo of children BEFORE attending the parade. Should you be separated this will help identify them quickly. Stewards will be distributing wristbands – please write the number of a responsible adult on the wristband and attach it to a child / vulnerable person
If you lose a child / children during the parade – please alert your nearest steward or member of Merseyside Police immediately
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/warning-over-liverpool-area-people-24065242A warning has been issued to Liverpool FC fans who plan on heading to the city centre at the weekend for either the Champions League final or the club's planned parade.
Chief Superintendent Jonathan Davies has issued a stark reminder to fans across the region and those coming from outside Merseyside that they should leave flares and fireworks at home, with police cracking down on their use while fans flood the city. This weekend will be a bumper weekend for Reds fans as Liverpool take on Real Madrid in the Champions League final on Saturday before taking to the road through Merseyside at 4pm on Sunday to celebrate the men's FA Cup and Carabao Cup wins as well as the women's team's Championship win.
Following a warning from Merseyside Police earlier today, Chief Supt Davies reminded fans that it is illegal to use pyrotechnics, flares and fireworks in public places, particularly after an incident at the Liver Building in 2020 following Liverpool's league title win. He told the ECHO : "We don't endorse or understand the use of flares. Flares are being used increasingly at sporting events across the UK, it's not unique to Merseyside.
READ MORE:Liverpool FC victory parade road closures, route and other key information
"These are dangerous things. We saw that at the Liver Building and we see that frequently at football matches. You don't know what you've got, you don't know where it's come from, you don't know whether it's going to be hot or not and you don't know how much smoke it's going to put out.
"All you are doing is ruining the event for you and those around you. There are enough animations, events and things happening in the event that Culture Liverpool worked hard to deliver so you don't need to bring your own flares. We frown upon them, they're dangerous and they're inconsiderate so we really advise people to not bring flares and do not ignite flares because you are just going to ruin the event for people around you."
Chief Supt Davies continued to say that officers are supported by "rafts of legislation" when dealing with those who take flares into crowds. He said: "We take it very seriously. We ask people not to bring them and we will deal with people who bring them and choose to cause issues. There's a whole raft of legislation around fireworks in public places. They're totally unnecessary.
"We get that people want to make it colourful but it's colourful already at the event for you and those around you. We ask people to please not bring flares, please do not climb. You do not need to climb, you do not need to get height, there is no need to climb on buildings or street furniture because there is no point and you are just causing a hazard to you and those beneath you.
"Act respectfully, enjoy the event, enjoy all the work Culture Liverpool, the event organisers, have put in place. Come here safely, look after your belongings, look after children in heavy crowds and go home safely."
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/warning-issued-over-flares-pyro-24071797