Moment police officers are pelted with bottles in Leicester

Moment police officers are pelted with bottles ‘after flag was torn down from a temple’ during another night of violence on streets of Leicester ‘between young Muslims and Hindus’

• Footage shows chaotic scene with police separating the ‘unplanned protesters’
• Only last month eight arrests were made after a fight broke out in Belgrave area
• Police were called to the scene on Green Lane Road where bottles were thrown

This is the shocking moment police officers are pelted with bottles on another night of violence in Leicester, with two men having been arrested for the ‘serious disorder’.

The startling 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’.

This is the shocking moment police officers are pelted with bottles on another night of violence in Leicester, with two men having been arrested for the ‘serious disorder’

The startling 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

Dispersal powers and stop search powers were earlier authorised, allowing officers to stop and search anyone where they believe that serious violence might take place. 

The dispersal order, in place until 6am, also gives police powers to ask people to leave a certain location and not return for 48 hours.

Additionally, it authorises officers to return those under 16 to their homes.

Rumours that a mosque in the city was attacked were earlier quashed by police.

They said: ‘We’ve seen reports on social media that a mosque is being attacked. Officers on the ground have confirmed this is not true. Only share information on social media that you know to be true.’

In a statement, Leicestershire Police said in the early hours of this morning: ‘Parts of East Leicester experienced serious disorder yesterday evening (Saturday 17 September) into this morning (Sunday) when large crowds formed after groups of young men began an unplanned protest.

‘We had additional officers in the area who became aware of a large group of men travelling towards Green Lane Road, Leicester.

‘Officers attempted to engage with the group and remain with them whilst additional officers were called in. They sought to keep actions lawful but regrettably, the situation led to disorder.

‘Officers attended in large numbers with a view to keep people safe. Dispersal and stop and search powers were autorised to assist officers in restoring calm to the area. Under Section 60 stop search powers, a large number of people were searched.

Bottles were being thrown from one side to another (one officer nearly hit is pictured), 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

Police are pictured forming a physical barricade as they shout at protesters to get back and leave the scene on Green Lane Road in east Leicester 

‘Several incidents of violence and damage have been reported to the police and are being investigated. We are aware of a video virculating 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.

‘A significant police operation will remain in the area in the coming days.’

Last night before the situation got out of hands, temporary chief constable Rob Nixon said in a video shared to Twitter: ‘We’ve had numerous reports of an outbreak or disorder in parts of the east Leicester area of the city.

‘We have officers there, we are taking control of the situation, additional officers are en route… dispersal and stop search powers have been authorised.

‘Please do not get involved, we are calling for calm.’

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