Almost 40 police officers sustained injuries at the scene of violent disorder in Southport, emergency services said.

North West Ambulance Service said 27 police officers were taken to hospital.

A statement on X, formerly Twitter, said: “We treated 39 patients in total, all of which were police officers. 27 were taken to hospital and 12 were treated and discharged at scene.”

Merseyside Police said eight officers suffered serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose, and a concussion.

Other officers suffered head injuries, and serious facial injuries, and one was knocked unconscious.

Three police dogs were also injured in the chaos, with Zoe and Ike suffering leg injuries from bricks thrown at them.

A third dog, Quga – who was bitten, strangled and kicked by an offender at the beginning of this month – suffered burns to her back leg, the force said.

Merseyside Police said those involved in the unrest – who they believe included supporters of the English Defence League – set alight cars belonging to members of the public, threw bricks at the local mosque, damaged a local convenience store, and set wheelie bins on fire.

Extra police will remain in the area to provide a visible presence to reassure communities.

A 24-hour Section 60 Order was introduced in the area running from 7.54pm on Tuesday, which gives officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals and is designed to minimise serious violence.

Map of Section 60 order in Southport, issued by Merseyside Police
A 24-hour Section 60 Order has been introduced in the above areas, which gives officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals in the area and is designed to minimise serious violence (Merseyside Police/PA)

A Section 34 Order has also been introduced, giving police the power to direct people engaging in antisocial behaviour or are likely to become involved in such incidents.

Merseyside police said these powers would not be used for anyone visiting the area and going about their daily business.

Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable, Alex Goss, said: “Merseyside Police has faced serious violence in Southport and I am so proud to have witnessed off-duty officers (many of whom had not long finished a full shift) parade back on duty to support their colleagues who had displayed such courage whilst under constant and sustained attack.

“I would also like to thank officers from Greater Manchester Police, Cheshire Police, Lancashire Police and North Wales Police who also provided mutual aid and support.

“Sadly, offenders have destroyed garden walls so they could use the bricks to attack our officers and have set cars belonging to the public on fire, and damaged cars parked in the mosque car park.”

He added: “This is no way to treat a community, least of all a community that is still reeling from the events of Monday.”

Merseyside Police urged anyone with information on the disorder or who has video footage of those involved to contact the force.

The rioting followed a frenzied stabbing attack in Southport on Monday at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.

The attack saw Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.

Eight other children were also stabbed, with five children and two adults left in a critical condition.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident at the dance studio in Hart Street.

The Muslim Council of Britain says Islamaphobic backlash began with a false rumour on the internet which was then stoked by misinformation from a Russian news site, which wrongfully associated the crime with Muslims.

The MCB paid tribute to the three young girls killed in Southport on Monday, before condemning “shocking scenes of far-right rioters running amok outside a mosque”.