Sunderland condemned “shameful” scenes of dysfunction within the metropolis heart on Friday evening after rioters clashed with police following a deliberate protest linked to a knife assault in Southport.
Northumbria Police mentioned eight individuals had been arrested and three cops had been taken to hospital following the disturbance.
In a put up on X, Sunderland condemned the violence and mentioned the town “will at all times belong to everybody”.
The membership mentioned: “Tonight’s disgraceful scenes don’t symbolize our tradition, our historical past or our individuals.
“Our nice metropolis was constructed on unity and inclusion and Sunderland will at all times work for everybody. We’re stronger as a neighborhood. Now, later and at all times.”
A whole bunch of individuals, many draped in England flags, gathered in Keel Sq., with some within the crowd chanting help for Tommy Robinson and others shouting insults about Islam.
Mounted police adopted the march, and police in vans struggled to maintain up via site visitors.
Nevertheless, some protesters acted violently, setting an overturned automotive on hearth, and a few focused a mosque.
Footage posted on social media seems to point out a fireplace on the metropolis heart police station, which is marked as completely closed on Google Maps and is now not listed within the police station finder on the Northumbria Police web site .
Police carrying protecting gear got here underneath sustained assault on Excessive West Avenue by rioters who detonated hearth extinguishers at them.
There was additionally a confrontation between police and protesters exterior a mosque in St Mark’s Highway, Sunderland.
Police in riot gear had been attacked with rocks and beer cans thrown at them.
Chief Superintendent Helena Barron mentioned in a press release: “Anybody we see concerned on this dysfunction shall be handled severely – and motion has already begun.
“Eight individuals have been arrested up to now for a variety of offenses together with violent dysfunction and housebreaking.
“A complete investigation is at the moment underway to establish different individuals accountable.
“I wish to make it clear that we are going to not tolerate the rioting, violence and destruction that occurred.”
