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Shocking footage shows a petrol bomb being thrown at police officers by youths in Anfield.

Around 20 police cars and riot vans swooped on Townsend Lane after youths launched a fire missile at police.

The serious escalation came as police were dealing with a man who clambered on to the roof of the Dockers Club building in Townsend Lane, where he had been since around 4pm today.

An eyewitness said: “The man was persuaded down and was being put into a police car.

“It all seemed to be over and police were taking down the tape when all of a sudden a big gang of youths, who had been watching the scene, and were wearing hoods and on bikes, ran over and started attacking two of the officers.

“The petrol bomb or missile was thrown as the officers were fighting with the lads. It hit one of the officers who had to be dabbed down. It was all over really quickly.

“Then around 20 police vans and cars swooped on the scene.”

The eyewitness added: “There’d been trouble brewing for a while, then it just erupted.”

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “Shortly before 4pm officers attended a property on Lampeter Road and executed a warrant.

“A 25-year-old male from the property made his way onto the roof of the Dockers Club, Townsend Lane.”

Officers cordoned off the area as they tried to persuade the man down.

The violent scenes erupted after he came down from the building.