Driver rams van into crowd at Liverpool FC parade

Police search the scene of car attack in Liverpool, England

Police are not treating the UK attack as terrorism

(Image credit: Paul Ellis / AFP via Getty Images)

published 27 May 2025

What happened

British police arrested a 53-year-old citizen Monday after a minivan plowed into a Liverpool crowd celebrating their soccer team's Premier League victory parade through the city. Officials said last night that 27 people were hospitalized following the attack, including a child and adult with serious injuries, and a further 20 people were treated at the scene. The driver was believed to have acted alone and police are not treating the attack as terrorism.

Who said what

Liverpool FC clinched their victory in England's top-tier soccer tournament last month, tying Manchester United's record of 20 League titles, but the season did not end until Sunday. The attack Monday "has cast a very dark shadow over what had been a joyous day for the city,” Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said at a news conference.

"Everyone, especially children, should be able to celebrate their heroes without this horror," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. "Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool."

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What next?

"Global episodes involving vehicles being driven into crowds have become increasingly common," including deadly attacks in New Orleans and Munich earlier this year, The New York Times said. Liverpool police "identified the suspect as white, in a possible decision to prevent misinformation from flooding social media," CBS News said. Online rumors after a stabbing attack last summer led to rioting in England and Northern Ireland.

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.