Six people have been arrested and several police officers injured following violent disorder in Meadow Well on Bonfire Night, which police say was sparked by misinformation about a building's intended use.
The trouble broke out on Waterville Road, where a building was targeted by a group believed to have thought it would become a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO). In fact, the site is planned as a supermarket with flats above for private rent. Missiles were thrown at the building, and a car was driven into the premises and set alight.
Emergency services attending the scene were also attacked, with bricks, missiles and fireworks thrown at them. Riot police were deployed to contain the violence.
What happened on the night
Northumbria Police said: "Just before 8pm yesterday (Thursday), emergency services were alerted to a gathering of people outside a premises in Waterville Road. It was reported those in attendance were attacking the building with fireworks and deliberately rammed the premises with a car. When emergency services arrived, they were subsequently subject to attack, a number of officers were injured as a result, and five police cars and three fire engines were also damaged."
A group in balaclavas was seen throwing objects at windows and smashing them, with flames visible as riot police worked to prevent further violence.
Misinformation behind the disorder
Police said the disorder stemmed from false claims that the building would be used as an HMO. Its actual use will be a supermarket with flats above for private rent. Until this morning, Heron Foods had been recruiting staff for the new shop, but those job advertisements appear to have been removed. Planning documents for another building show permission was granted on April 27 for nine flats above the shop, with no mention of HMO use.
For the proposed flats above a One Stop convenience store, a consultation period allowed public comments, and one person expressed "strong support" for the work, calling it a "positive step for the community's regeneration".
Police and fire service respond
Chief Superintendent Daniel Whyte of Northumbria Police said: "The shocking scenes we witnessed last night in the Meadow Well were completely unacceptable. Our officers and fire fighters were met with violence, including fireworks and bricks being thrown at them and their vehicles. We believe the disorder relates to misinformation that the building is going to be used as a House of Multi-Occupancy (HMO) – which is not accurate. The site is planned for use as a supermarket with flats above for private rent, and we are sharing this information to stop speculation in the community. Quite simply, the disorder, violence and damage which has occurred will not be tolerated. Our response has been swift and robust with a full investigation ongoing to identify those responsible. We have already arrested six people in connection with what happened – but we haven't stopped there. Anyone involved should be expecting a knock on the door. We also recognise the overwhelming number of people in the community will condemn this type of behaviour, so would ask for their help at this time. We also know there will be concern in the community in relation to what happened and we will have an increased presence in the area to offer reassurance."
Lynsey McVay, Deputy Chief Fire Officer at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Our firefighters are there to help people and keep communities safe, so it is deeply disappointing that emergency service personnel responding to the incident were met with violence and unacceptable behaviour while carrying out their duties. Three fire appliances were damaged whilst dealing with a life critical incident, highlighting the dangerous nature of these actions and the risks posed to those working to protect the public. As a result, these appliances weren't available to respond to life-critical incidents, impacting our ability to protect and support the community. Anti-social behaviour and criminality of this nature have no place in our communities. The actions witnessed last night put members of the public and emergency responders at risk, damaged property and disrupted the efforts of crews responding to protect the community. We remain committed to working alongside our partners to keep our communities safe and support efforts to identify those responsible for this unacceptable behaviour."
Political reaction and aftermath
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: "I'm disgusted by scenes of clearly pre-arranged violence in Meadow Well tonight, carried out by a minority of idiots. These thugs apparently thought they were attacking a planned HMO, when in fact, it was destined to be a supermarket. This dangerous misinformation and the way it spreads needs to be tackled and the stupidity has to stop - there is no excuse for it. Northumbria Police and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service go to work every day to protect us, they deserve better than this and so do the residents of the Meadow Well who have had to endure it."
North Tyneside's Elected Mayor Karen Clark added: "What happened in Meadow Well last night was appalling and completely unacceptable. There is no excuse for this kind of violence and disorder, particularly when emergency services are being attacked simply for doing their jobs. I know how much pride the people of Meadow Well take in their community, and how upsetting and frightening these scenes will have been for residents. The actions of a minority must not be allowed to overshadow the many decent, law-abiding people who live there."
Photographs from the scene on Friday morning showed part of the building smashed, the burnt remains of a car inside, and damage to windows with rubble scattered around. Forensics officers have been in the area, and a cordon was erected around where the car was set on fire. A clean-up operation has been taking place, with volunteers working through Friday morning and emergency services remaining in the area. With six arrests already made and more expected, further updates are anticipated as the investigation continues.
