Bonfire Night violence condemned as six arrested

Published58 minutes ago

Six people, including three teenage boys, have been arrested after a night of violence saw fireworks and bricks launched at emergency services on Bonfire Night.

Northumbria Police said its crews had been attacked after responding to reports of anti-social behaviour in the Waterville Road area of Meadow Well in North Tyneside at about 21:00 GMT on Thursday.

A number of officers were injured, the force said, and five police cars and three fire engines were damaged.

Ch Supt Daniel Whyte said anyone else involved in the disorder should expect a "knock on the door". Ian Miller, who runs the local community centre The Meadows, said people had a right to feel safe where they live.

So far two men, aged 25 and 27, a woman aged 27 and three teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. They all remain in custody.

Whyte said there would be an increased police presence in the area to "offer reassurance".

The force said the disorder had been linked to misinformation about a building's future as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

'Rumours circulating'

Miller told BBC Radio Newcastle emergency services should not have had to experience assaults and "rioting and causing this amount of trouble gets you nowhere".

He said the actions did not reflect most people living there.

Miller said his team had been aware of rumours circulating about the building for the past few weeks.

To counter them, the community centre held a meeting for residents last month alongside the building's developer.

He said the developer emphasised to those who attended the site was due to be turned into a supermarket and the flats above would be occupied by anyone who went through the "process of getting somewhere to live", including people from the estate.

The police said the flats above the supermarket would be for private rent.

Miller said the violence did not represent most people in Meadow Well.

He said people in the area were "creative, positive, enthusiastic, wonderful folk".

"Those people exist here, live here and they have a right to enjoy and feel safe where they live," he said.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said she was "disgusted" by the violence which she said was carried out by a "minority of idiots".

Follow BBC North East on X, external, Facebook, external, Nextdoor and Instagram, external and listen to Radio Newcastle on BBC Sounds.

Get in touch

Do you have a story suggestion for BBC Tyne?

Related topics

Northumbria Police

More on this story

Missiles and fireworks 'thrown at emergency crews'

• Published5 hours ago

Missiles and fireworks 'thrown at emergency crews'

Published5 hours ago

Related internet links

Northumbria Police

Northumbria Police