UK: Violent Immigrant Clash in Tribal Controlled Area Leads to Calls for Tough Police Action

Daily Mail
May 22, 2014

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Ethnic tensions came to a head last night, when more than 25 people got involved in the mass disturbance which broke out in the Page Hall area of Sheffield at around 8pm.

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett has called for tough police action after a violent street fight between rival groups of immigrants.

The Labour MP spoke out after Page Hall in Sheffield – part of his constituency – was consumed by violence on Monday, which led to several arrests and one teen needing hospital treatment.

He had warned last November that tensions between local people and Roma migrants in the are could escalate into rioting unless action was taken to improve integration.

Tensions came to a head when more than 25 people got involved in the mass disturbance which broke out in the residential area at around 8pm.

A 17-year-old boy suffered a suspected broken arm in the disturbance, which was watched by dozens of concerned residents who poured into the street to watch the clash unfold.

Several rang 999 after becoming concerned at the scale of the disorder and many have now called on the authorities to do more to help ease community tension.

Mr Blunkett said: ‘We were all very apprehensive about the emergence of the long warmer nights, and recognise this was going to be a moment of pressure.

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One teenager was left needing hospital treatment as a result of the violence in the heavily colonised area.

‘The police have devoted sufficient manpower and expertise, but what is required is a clear, visible presence in the evening, so there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind about the determination to clamp down on any kind of unacceptable behaviour.

‘It’s fine having the numbers but they have to be there at the right time. Those who perpetrate unacceptable behaviour need to understand the police mean business.

‘The cause of the problem is believing they can behave in this fashion.’

One local said: ‘Members of the existing community are tired and quite frankly frightened at the swiftness of how the situation became enflamed.

‘Council and Government agencies need to be aware of the truth and how the decent residents of this troubled district need support and assurance that they are safe to walk the streets.’

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