Fifteen people were arrested and police officers faced violent confrontations as Liverpool fans gathered to celebrate their Premier League win, Merseyside’s chief constable has said.

In scenes described as “unacceptable” by the club, crowds gathered on the Pier Head on Friday night and part of the Liver Building was set alight as fireworks were launched amid wild celebrations.

In a statement, Chief Constable Andy Cooke said the actions of a minority were “not only irresponsible, but criminal”.

He said: “Last night, children and families were present alongside others and heavy-handed police intervention was therefore not appropriate at the time.

“Later on in the night, 15 people were arrested for violent disorder and my officers were subjected to a number of violent confrontations. This is not acceptable.”

The chief constable, himself a Liverpool supporter, said CCTV was being examined to identify those responsible for criminal or anti-social behaviour and urged fans to wait until it was safe to celebrate the club’s first Premier League win in 30 years.

Police issued a Section 34 dispersal order for the city centre on Friday night, allowing them to disperse the crowds who had gathered.

A joint statement on behalf of the club, Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Police said: “Several thousand people turned up at the Pier Head on Friday June 26 and some chose to ignore the social distancing guidance and risk public safety.

“Our city is still in a public health crisis and this behaviour is wholly unacceptable.

“The potential danger of a second peak of Covid-19 still exists and we need to work together to make sure we don’t undo everything that has been achieved as a region during lockdown.

“When it is safe to do so, we will all work together to arrange a victory parade when everyone can come together to celebrate.

“Until that time, the safety of our city and our people continues to be our number-one priority.”

Merseyside Police said the crowd developed quickly and officers had to close off side roads leading to the area for public safety.