Police arrest 15 people in Leicester as they tackle ‘further disorder’ in the city during another night of violence on streets of the city ‘between young Muslims and Hindus’
- All fifteen remained in policy custody just passed midnight on Monday morning
- Crowds formed when groups of young men gathered for a protest in Leicester
- Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon called for calm after weekend violence
Fifteen people were arrested during a policing operation in east Leicester ‘to deter further disorder’ on Sunday after another night of violence allegedly between young Muslims and Hindus.
Video of fights breaking out on the streets surfaced Sunday with police breaking up the two groups.
It comes after two arrests were made when police said disturbances broke out at an unplanned protest on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
In a statement, Leicestershire Police said: ‘Officers became aware of groups of young men gathering on Sunday afternoon in the North Evington area of the city.
‘Officers spoke to them and took steps, including putting in place a temporary police cordon, to minimise harm and disturbance to communities.’
The force added all fifteen remained in policy custody just passed midnight on Monday morning.
Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon called for calm on Saturday night.
Fifteen people were arrested during a policing operation in east Leicester ‘to deter further disorder’ on Sunday
Another night of violence reportedly broke out between young Muslims and Hindus on Sunday
Video of fights breaking out on the streets surfaced Sunday night with police breaking up the two groups
The force said large crowds formed when groups of young men gathered for an unplanned protest.
In a video filmed at 9pm on Saturday, Mr Nixon said: ‘We have had numerous reports of an outbreak of disorder in parts of the east Leicester area of the city.
‘We have got officers there, we are taking control of that situation.
‘There are additional officers en route and dispersal powers and stop search powers have been authorised.
‘Please do not get involved, we are calling for calm.’
A police spokesman said: ‘Several incidents of violence and damage have been reported to the police and are being investigated.
‘We are aware of a video circulating showing a man pulling down a flag outside a religious building on Melton Road, Leicester.
‘This appears to have taken place while police officers were dealing with public disorder in the area. The incident will be investigated.
‘Two arrests were made – one man on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder and one man on suspicion of possession of a bladed article. They remain in police custody.
‘We are continuing to call for dialogue and calm with support from local community leaders. We will not tolerate violence or disorder in our city.’
Additional officers have been on patrol in the area in recent weeks after a number of incidents of disorder following an Asia Cup cricket match.
On the Saturday, police officers were pelted with bottles on another night of violence in Leicester, with two men having been arrested for the ‘serious disorder’.
Another clip circulating online shows a similar police division, reportedly between Hindus and Muslims, during the daytime
The footage shows a chaotic scene in Green Lane Road, east Leicester, with police separating the two sides of an ‘unplanned protest’ as they shout for people to get back and go home.
Bottles were being thrown from one side to another, and officers in the middle ground acting as a physical barricade from the two sides were in the firing line as they tried to keep the peace.
Several reports of violence and damage were made to police while a video circulating allegedly shows a man pulling down an Om flag outside a Hindu Temple on Melton Road in the city.
Section 60 stop and search powers were made available to police and two men were arrested, one on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder and another on suspicion of possession of a bladed article. They remain in police custody.
There has reportedly been a continued string of violence in Leicester which is said to be between ‘young Muslims and Hindus’.
Another clip circulating online shows a similar police division, reportedly between Hindus and Muslims, during the daytime, with officers holding batons as they maintain space between the two groups on a residential street in Leicester.
Source: Read Full Article