Violence flares during India v Pakistan cricket street celebrations in Belgrave, Leicester
Offensive chants were made and punches were thrown
By
Asha Patel
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FOOTAGE SHOWS BRAWL ON BELGRAVE GATE
Violence broke out when hundreds of people poured into the street in the
Belgrave area of Leicester to celebrate the India cricket team's victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup on Sunday. One man has been arrested after fans congregated on the
Golden Mile.
Video footage of the chaos circulating on social media shows the moment a fight broke out in Shaftesbury Avenue, off Melton Road. A man's T-shirt was ripped off as a number of men or youths were seen throwing punches at him and others.
A
Leicestershire Police officer appears to have been assaulted by one reveller who is then pinned down before other officers stepped in to help handle the situation. A spokesperson for the force confirmed that a 28-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault and assaulting an emergency worker. He has since been released under investigation.
Offensive chants could also be heard repeatedly in the original clip, which
LeicestershireLive has muted. However, the footage has been shared widely on social media with many describing some of the chanting as racist. It has also led to concerns around the local reaction to upcoming cricket matches.
Officers were forced to issue a warning urging people to avoid the area after people took to Belgrave Road, Melton Road and surrounding streets to mark the India team's win. Cricket matches between the two teams have long generated large-scale reactions in Leicester.
However, while
previous unplanned street celebrations have been colourful and jubilant, Sunday evening was marred by an ugly hostility as violence and chaos erupted. Leicestershire Police has been made aware of the video and others circulating on social media and is carrying out further inquiries.
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Inspector Yakub Ismail, commander for the East Leicester police, which covers the area, said action would be taken He said: “Our officers are there to protect our communities and we take a zero-tolerance approach to them being assaulted in their line of duty.
"Following the events of Sunday evening, local officers are continuing to engage with young people, community leaders and stakeholders in the area. We want to ensure that any future celebrations are organised in a planned, safe and considerate manner.”
In a statement issued shortly after 6pm today, (Tuesday, August 30), the force added: "We are aware of the videos circulating on social media of racist and hateful chanting filmed in the Belgrave area of Leicester after the conclusion of the India v Pakistan cricket match on Sunday evening, (August 28)
A fight involving multiple people broke out in Shaftesbury Avenue.
"We are taking these reports seriously and an investigation is underway to identify those responsible. We are treating this chanting as a hate crime and anyone found to have been taking part will be dealt with accordingly.
"We will have extra patrols in the Belgrave area this evening and in the coming days. Please approach any officer on patrol with any information about those responsible for such remarks."
Suleman Nagdi, spokesman for the Leicestershire Federation of Muslim Organisations, (FMO), said: "Following the recent circulation on social media of very disturbing footage on Melton Road in Leicester, we urge local communities to work together to maintain the peace and harmony we have all enjoyed for so long. Leicester is a beacon of community cohesion.
"Hate, intolerance and violence by any group must have no place in our city. Such actions must be widely condemned and swiftly dealt with by the law."
Anyone with information relating to the incident is asked to contact the force, quoting incident 401 of 28 August.
