Police are stepping up patrols in Leicester amid fears of clashes between Muslims and Hindus
Police have stepped up patrols ahead of today’s India-Pakistan cricket match after sectarian violence erupted at previous matches.
There will be a “highly visible police presence” in Leicester on Sunday during the game, which will be played in Melbourne, Australia. The game started at 9am BST.
At least 60 Muslim and Hindu youths from Leicester, Birmingham and London have been arrested on a range of charges – including public disorder, racially aggravated assault, violent crime and more – after tensions flared during the August and September games.
Leicester Police are trying to ‘ensure all remains calm’ during Sunday’s sporting event and throughout the Diwali celebrations. The celebrations began on Friday and will end tomorrow after Diwali Day.
Diwali is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. It includes a festival of lights celebrating the triumphs of “light over darkness” – or good over evil.
Police have stepped up their patrols ahead of today’s India-Pakistan cricket match after sectarian violence erupted last month. Pictured: Disorder in Leicester after the August 28 game between India and Pakistan
At least 60 Muslim and Hindu youths from Leicester, Birmingham and London have been arrested on a range of charges after tensions flared during the August and September games. Pictured: Violent clashes between youths after the September 17 game
Leicestershire Police said there will be a “significant police presence in East Leicester” throughout the weekend and into next week as the Diwali holiday is underway.
“I would like to take this time to ask everyone to enjoy the Diwali celebrations – as they normally would,” interim Chief Constable Rob Nixon told MailOnline in a press release.
“It is a very special time for so many people in Leicester’s communities and a very special time for the city and these celebrations should be taking place.
“There will be a high visibility police presence in the area throughout Monday to ensure this is the case. Anyone thinking of causing trouble – please don’t. We will be there to prevent disorder from breaking out.
“That is also the case on Sunday after the cricket match. We are aware that tensions could arise as a result of this outcome and will be patrolling the streets and providing security to the community.’
Chief Constable Nixon added: “I would like to take this opportunity to ask – once again – not to share unverified and unverified information on social media. Misinformation has consistently proven to be very destructive.’
Leicestershire Police said there will be a “significant police presence in East Leicester” throughout the weekend and into next week as the Diwali holiday is underway
Sectarian clashes erupted between Hindus and Muslims in Leicester (pictured) after a cricket match between India and Pakistan on September 17.
Leicester Police have arrested a total of 66 people in connection with the more than 150 incidents of violence that have erupted between groups.
Police arrested the suspects on suspicion of a range of public order violations as well as assault on an ambulance, possession of a taser, racially aggravated assault, threat to kill, violent disorder, brawling, conspiracy to incite violent disorder and possession of cannabis.
The five most recent arrests – all within the last two weeks – included a 17-year-old from Leicester and four men, aged 22 to 41.
The teenager was arrested on suspicion of possession of an assault weapon and subsequently charged with the offence. Police say the charges relate to a September 6 incident.
A 26-year-old man, also from Leicester, was arrested on September 4 for causing violent disturbances and was released under investigation.
The other three arrested, a 41-year-old and two men aged 22, were arrested after an incident on September 18 on suspicion of aggravated assault.
The three suspects, all from Birmingham, have been released on police bail.
The new arrests come as police continue to investigate the violent incidents, including reviewing more than 6,000 hours of body-worn camera footage.
“Diligent efforts to study the disease are ongoing but not without challenges. The effort and care that goes into this work is predictably relentless,” Chief Constable Nixon said.
“The investigative team is working around the clock on the crime reports and more indictments are awaited.”
It comes after Leicestershire Police warned about the spread of misinformation online and the challenges it posed for communities in the area. Pictured: riots after the September 17 game
Community leaders have called for calm following the outbreak of violence in Leicester on September 17 (pictured).
The residents of Leicester, which is celebrated for its diversity, were shocked by images of groups of men, mainly masked or cloaked, including members of the Hindu and Muslim community, in tense confrontations and arguments on the city’s streets.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said last month the “full force of law” would be used to quell the unrest and insisted her focus was on restoring “security and harmony” to the city.
Ms Braverman said in a tweet she had met with Leicestershire Police officers, Chief Constable Nixon and community leaders to discuss action to be taken against the riots.
“We will work together on this and I will do everything I can to support the communities and our police force. Those who bring disorder and brawls to our streets will face the full force of the law and I thank all these brave police officers for keeping us safe,” she said.
The Home Secretary also said she had spoken to West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson and would “continue to monitor the situation and thank the police for their professional handling”.
Her comment came after Leicestershire Police warned of the spread of misinformation online and the challenges it posed to communities in the area.
A “fake” message said to have come from Leicester’s Hindu and Jain community was said to have been circulated, prompting Temples and leaders to issue a statement discrediting them.
Independent MP for Leicester East Claudia Webbe previously said some social media accounts appeared to be “exploiting this uneasiness” by “spreading misinformation”.
She wrote to the interim Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police calling for vigilance and relaying reports of “incitement to hatred of Muslims of the Hindu faith”.
The BBC reported that an independent review of the disturbance would take place following a meeting of community leaders, city councilors and local police.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11345383/Police-step-patrols-Leicester-amid-fears-clashes-Muslims-Hindus.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 Police are stepping up patrols in Leicester amid fears of clashes between Muslims and Hindus
