Police step up patrols after disturbances by cricket fans continue in East Leicester

Image by Hindustan Times via ANI

After India’s win against Pakistan in T20 Asia Cup match held on 28 August in Dubai, several report of disturbance were made to the police in Leicester’s Belgrave area.

The disturbances have carried on due to which the police have stepped up their patrols in East Leicester to put an end to any further issues.

After India’s win was announced, a viral video was published online where many cricket fans were allegedly chanting anti-Pakistan slogans and were involved in a brawl. As soon as the police were made aware of this, they exercised their stop and search power and ordered the gang to disperse.

So far, according to a News18 report, police have identified five men involved in the disturbances, with four people arrested after further investigations were carried out. They were found responsible for suspected offences including possession of weapons and drunk-driving.

Temporary chief constable Rob Nixon said the police force was working with the local communities to ensure that peace is maintained.

“What I saw yesterday evening was a minority of people intent on causing some disturbance”, Nixon said, calling the incidents “sad”. He said they were not willing to listen despite being told to stop.

“Now is a time for calm heads and measured words while the police continue to take action and carry out investigations,” he added.

Around 130 people were subjected to stop and search. Police are allowed to search anyone in a specific area without requiring to have any reasonable grounds.

Leicester Police said on Wednesday that officers will carry on their “proactive patrols” and investigators would speak to the witnesses and make CCTV enquiries to find the perpetrators.

Following this, as part of retaliation to the incidents, gangs of youths – said to be of Pakistani origin – were also seen vandalising and terrorising Hindus in Leicester city. Police investigations are ongoing after it was reported that the group took the route of violence and racist chanting in a predominantly Indian neighbourhood.

According to LeicesterLive, a peace meeting was also organised between faith communities to discuss the tensions between Hindus and Muslims.

Temporary chief Rob Nixon said, “Leicester, as we know, is a harmonious and proudly diverse city and we all want to pull together” and thanked everyone who helped bring peace and prevented the situation from any further escalation.