Police close in on rioters after Wallasey house damaged by Facebook-advertised party

Feb 24 2010 by Luke Traynor, Wallasey News

Police close in on rioters after Wallasey house damaged by Facebook-advertised party

POLICE are studying the internet to identify rioters who trashed a Facebook-advertised party at a house in Wallasey.

Up to 50 people stormed 15-year-old Rachel Ross’s family semi-detached house, leaving behind thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Now it has emerged that pictures of the home wreckers have ended up on Facebook and will be investigated by police.

Up to 20 names of those responsible have now been gathered and will be passed to police.

Rachel’s school, St Mary’s College, have also contacted stunned dad Michael Ross to pass on information about the potential vandals.

One teenager, 19, has apparently been seen locally with a laptop, very similar to the one stolen from the Ross household.

Many youths have visibly been deleting their profiles and messages on Facebook, conscious of getting caught by police.

Dad Michael said: “I’m determined to find out who did this, I’ve put lots of feelers out. I’ve seen a photo of a guy standing in my kitchen – I don’t know who he is but I’m sure we’ll find out.

“Rachel couldn’t remember anything the other day because of the drink, but little bits are coming back to her all the time.”

Following the party on Friday night, damage was left totalling as much as £15,000.

All the carpets may have to be replaced as urine was found in a two-year-old child’s bedroom, along with red paint in the laundry, bubble bath in the TV and collectable Samurai swords embedded in the walls after they were flung around like spears.

Rachel had organised a secret gathering of friends while her parents, Michael and Nichola attended an overnight wedding.

Taxis were seen pulling up outside the property as loud music pumped out and drunk teenagers, clutching beer cans, cavorted in front of the house.

All their children, aged 15, 13, 12 and two, were staying with the parents of various friends of the youngsters.

But Rachel, the eldest, sneaked back to the empty house where she had made prior arrangements for a small party.

She fell unconscious during the night and claimed she was handed a drink that may have been spiked.

Her friends have told how some gangs, some men over the age of 20, forced their way into the house and they were powerless to stop them.

Early indications suggest those responsible for the vandalism were predominantly aged 16-20 years old and may have been local.