Man suffers jaw injury and six police assaulted in major Leicester disorder incident

A man suffered a jaw injury while six police officers were assaulted in a major disorder incident[1] in Leicester city centre. A number of arrests and a wide-ranging dispersal order has been put in place in the wake of the incident. Officers from Leicestershire Police were called to the city centre’s[2] Gallowtree Gate at around 2.45pm on Saturday (January 13) to reports of a robbery in the area.

The victim of the alleged robbery sustained an injury to his jaw and was treated in hospital. However, disorder followed as police attempted to arrest two suspects in connection with the robbery. Officers say a number of people gathered around them and prevented them from leaving the area with the suspects in tow.

Further officers were called to the scene in the wake of the disorder, with police saying they were acting in the interest of public safety to contain the crowds. Six police officers were assaulted during the incident, but none suffered injuries. Five people were subsequently arrested by Leicestershire Police in connection with the incident.

All since have been released on bail pending further enquiries. A Section 35 Dispersal Order[4] was put into place in the Gallowtree Gate following the incident. It will remain in place until 4.15pm on Sunday (January 14) and gives officers the power to require people to leave the area.

It also aims to reduce the risk of any further public disorder. Investigations into the disorder are ongoing. Officers have called on the public for help.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Jack Cornick said: “Enquiries into both the robbery and the disorder are continuing but we would urge anyone who witnessed the incident or the events leading up to the disorder to get in touch. “There were a number of people in the area around the time of the incident and some may have recorded what happened on their phones. If you have any footage of the incident we would like you to come forward as it may help us with our investigation.”

Anyone with information should call Leicestershire Police[5] on 101, quoting crime number 24*26244.

Alternatively, report information on the force’s website.

References

  1. ^ major disorder incident (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  2. ^ city centre’s (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  3. ^ Gas engineer reported by customer for smelling of cannabis expects to lose his new business (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  4. ^ Section 35 Dispersal Order (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  5. ^ Leicestershire Police (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)