Police using CCTV to trace suspects after ugly disorder
POLICE are trawling CCTV to see if anyone else involved in violence which erupted during city centre protests has still not been traced.
Ugly scenes erupted near Grey’s Monument in Newcastle on Saturday as counter-demonstrators to a Black Lives Matter protest clashed with police.
A number of police officers, protesters and police dogs and horses were injured in the disorder.
So far 13 people have been arrested.
Northumbria Police has warned officers are trawling CCTV in a bid to identify anyone who was involved who they still need to speak to.
A spokeswoman for the force said: “We are reviewing CCTV and footage and will be looking to trace any individuals we have not yet spoken to who were involved in the disorder.
“All 13 who were arrested have since been released under investigation.” The event began peacefully as hundreds gathered in support of the global Black Lives Matter movement, which has seen protests held around the world following the killing of George Floyd by American police.
A line of police officers separated Black Lives Matter protesters from a group labelling themselves ‘Defenders of Newcastle’, who had gathered on the steps of Grey’s Monument.
However, disorder later broke out with footage appearing to show bottles and smoke flares being thrown.
There was a heavy police presence to bring the situation under control with riot police, a football policing team, police horses and police dogs all being deployed.
Northumbria Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Scott Hall has condemned the violence.
He said: “Ensuring the safety of the public is our utmost priority and we provided a proportionate policing response to planned protests in Newcastle.
“Black Lives Matter protesters came together in the city centre, with a counter-protest held at Grey’s Monument.
“The protest activity had in the main passed without incident, with the exception of a small number of objects being thrown between the protesters.
“However, as the demonstrations were drawing to a close, members of the counter-protest again started throwing objects with the police targeted.
“Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated on our streets.
“An investigation is now under way and anyone found responsible will be brought to justice.
“As it stands we are aware a small number of officers, three police horses and two dogs received minor injuries.
“A small number of the protesters also reported receiving minor injuries as a result of the protest activity.
“We can confirm 13 people have been arrested, mainly in relation to suspected public order offences.
“The right to lawful protest is a key part of any democracy, which we will uphold and facilitate.
“However, we will not accept people using that as a means to commit crime.”