Man charged following bomb hoax report in Southport town centre

A man has been charged following a bomb hoax in Southport on Friday 18 September.

Just before 1.20pm, police received a report that a man was carrying a knife and a black bag which was reported to have a bomb inside in the Eastbank Street and Lord Street area of Southport.

It was also reported to police that the man raised his fists to hit a member of the public as he walked past a shop in the area.

Officers responded quickly to the incident and detained and arrested Adnel Mateus, aged 47, of Alexandra Road in Southport, at a coffee shop in Southport.

Following a police stop and search, officers confirmed that no suspicious items were found.

Mateus was later charged with breach of a Community Protection Notice and common assault.

He appeared at Wirral Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 19 September, where he was released on conditional bail.

Mateus is due to attend South Sefton Magistrates’ Court on Sunday 27 September.

Police have confirmed that despite the initial reports concerning a knife and a black bag with a reported bomb inside, no suspicious items were found following the stop and search.

The charges before the court are breach of a Community Protection Notice and common assault.