Fireworks and flares are now being advertised for sale in a Telegram messaging group that was used to call for a street presence in Southport ahead of this week’s riot.
Sky News identified the person responsible.
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‘If this is the wrong channel join ours’
The Telegram user joined a group on the messaging app on the morning of July 30, sharing an AI-generated image of masked men in front of burning emergency service vehicles.
Before joining, another user shared a poster urging people to protest in Southport.
When he joined, his second post was a plea for people to share contacts that could help transport people to Southport.
He told the group, “The more numbers we can get, the better.”
When another user expressed concern about “vigilante stuff,” he responded by saying “if this is the wrong channel go to ours,” providing a link.
Maps, fireworks and schedules shared as a group
They continued posting in the first group, sharing a list of materials for sale, including firecrackers, Roman candles and flares.
They posted a series of photos in the chat, which included fireworks packaged in their original packaging.
User identified by Sky News discussing the sale of flares, linking to their Instagram account.
Fireworks offered for sale by user identified by Sky News.
Later posts look at plans for a street presence outside of Southport.
In another newly created channel, a map of local mosques was published alongside a photograph of a fire and details of a meeting time.
As in the first group, fireworks and flares were put on sale and a price list was shared.
Locations of Liverpool mosques were shared on a channel advertising fireworks and flares, above followed by an image of a fire.
Tips link to previous channel
A forwarded message was also sent from a Telegram channel that has the same username and profile photo as the account that posted in the first group.
This channel has existed since February. While it has recently focused on fireworks advertising and posts about Southport, older posts provide some additional context.
Describing itself as a promotional channel, prior to the Southport riots it mainly advertised cannabis and related items. It is unclear whether the channel directly promoted drugs for sale or advertised on behalf of third parties.
The groups and channels used.
The channel was previously used in part to promote the sale of cannabis products.
The account username and promotional channel correspond to an Instagram page that sells stickers, AI-generated graphic designs, and packaging. He has a link to the Telegram channel in his bio.
The highly distinctive Telegram and Instagram handle reveals Companies House filings for a packaging company of the same name. It is registered to an address in Liverpool, where the account has been directing people to gather.
Companies House documentation identifying Joe Banlin as the director of the company linked to the Instagram account and Telegram channel
Denial by the company director
The company’s sole director is 27-year-old Joe Banlin.
Running the company name through a reverse search tool in email address format returns details of a Google Maps account labeled with the name Joe, providing additional confirmation.
Sky News approached Mr Banlin via his Telegram account, where he initially responded asking how we had found his name.
When asked why he sold fireworks, tried to organize transport and shared details of local mosques, Banlin referred to the recent mass stabbings in Southport.
When asked about the cannabis products listed on his Telegram channel, he said: “We do not advertise to third parties anything that has to do with us.”
He denied inciting violence and making threats.
After being told Sky News intended to identify him, Banlin declined to provide further comment.
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