Two men “attempting to steal boats” sparked a major emergency service response tonight.
Fire engines, search and rescue vehicles , ambulances and police patrol cars descended on King’s Dock in Liverpool City Center after “confusing” reports from members of the public.
The emergency services swarmed the bridge by the Campanile Hotel, opposite the Exhibition Center, including the Coastguard and a Merseyside Water Rescue speedboat could be seen searching the water.
A spokesman for Liverpool Coastguard confirmed reports had been received possibly of persons in difficulty in the water in nearby Queen.s Dock.
Further reports were received of a life-ring having been thrown into the water.
The spokesman said: “Merseyside Police sent some units down. The fire and rescue service ended up going down as well. We sent Crosby and Wirral Coastguard to assist.
“There were reports of a life ring being thrown and there were a couple of boats bobbing about so the whole area was searched.
” In the end it appeared that there were two males who happened to be trying to steal the boats, rather than being in difficulty. They were not located and that is now a matter for the police.
“All units were stood down and there were no reports of anyone in difficulty.”
A Merseyside Fire and Rescue Officer at the scene told the ECHO: “It is all over now, it was two males messing about in a boat.”
Despite widespread concern on social media about an incident at the nearby M&S Bank Arena, Merseyside Police confirmed there were no further incidents on the waterfront.
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