A further bout of violence broke out in the Belgrave area of Leicester on Monday night, with reports of one person being stabbed and another suffering a broken eye socket.
Hundreds are said to have congregated on Leicester’s Cottesmore Road area on Monday (September 5), to continue the violence which took place on August 28, when the Indian cricket team triumphed against Pakistan in the Asia Cup cricket match.
Police confirmed that there was an incident in the area of Melton Road and Shaftesbury Avenue following the match, where an India supporter was assaulted by other India supporters.
In a video circulating online, a police officer also appears to have been assaulted, and there was some racist chanting involved.
On Monday night, at around 8pm, the violence continued off the back of these attacks, with “vigilante groups” setting out to try and find those responsible.
Police confirmed that one person suffered a stab wound to their hand as a result, and another suffered ‘non-life threatening’ injuries. One man, who was assaulted near to Bridge Road in the early hours on Monday morning, remains in hospital.
Suleman Nagdi, spokesman of the FMO (Federation of Muslim Organisations), is calling for peace in the community, urging those responsible for the violence to discontinue, before somebody gets “seriously hurt.”
An emergency meeting is set to be held today to discuss the situation.
“We’re trying to calm the situation down and tell young people that we’ve lived in peace and harmony in the city between the communities for so many years, and we should do everything possible to preserve the peace, and not let a wedge come between us,” he told the Leicester Times.
“We understand many people, particularly our youth are very angry about recent events and the perceived lack of action, but out message is please do not to take matters into your own hands or take out your anger on innocent people or the Police. Violence has no place in society.”
Mr Nagdi says that he is working with a number of groups and community representatives including the police and local authorities to “address the unrest and strong feelings of the community.”
Leicestershire Police have confirmed that a “full and robust investigation” into the disorder is underway.
Rob Nixon, temporary chief constable of Leicestershire Police has spoken out to assure residents that action is being taken.
“I’m very aware that there’s a lot of tension across some parts of our city, and there is a lot of speculation on social media that the police aren’t doing anything, but I can assure you that we are taking this very, very seriously,” he said.
“We are aware that there are people who are trying to galvanise other members of the public to get involved in further disorder, but please show restraint, bring calm, challenge rumours – things that are going out on social media and please help us work through the different investigations that we’ve got ongoing.”
“Our message is clear – we have a zero-tolerance approach to violence,” added a Leicestershire Police spokesman.
“We are saddened that these incidents have occurred and understand they are causing concern to our communities and we urge the community to work with us to identify those responsible
“It is our aim to de-escalate tensions and officers are making progress on these investigations as a matter of priority.
“In order to keep you safe, an appropriate policing plan is in place and our proactive high visibility patrols will be continuing in the local area.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police on 101.
