Firefighters were unable to extinguish a building blaze in Meadow Well on Bonfire Night after being met by a large group of youths, with three fire engines taken out of action following attacks on the appliances.
The disorder is believed to have stemmed from misinformation about the future of the building on Waterville Road, with rumours circulating that it was to be transformed into a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO). Police have confirmed this is not the case, with the site expected to become a Heron Foods supermarket with private flats above.
Police address misinformation
Speaking at a press conference at Northumbria Police HQ in Wallsend on Friday afternoon, Chief Superintendent Daniel Whyte said: "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."
He added: "We are sharing this information to stop speculation in the community."
Ch Supt Whyte told reporters that officers had spent recent weeks providing relevant information about the building. He said: "It's really important that facts are what people share, not opinions. Because as we've seen, that can lead to the likes of yesterday, due to the misinformation that is shared on social media."
Fire engines attacked
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) Area Manager Phil Clark told the press conference that three fire engines from Tynemouth and Wallsend were dispatched to Waterville Road just before 8.15pm last night. The service had responded to around 600 calls throughout the evening.
Mr Clark said: "Once they became in attendance it was aware that there was a huge amount of youths in the area... it wasn't safe to progress and deal with the firefighting."
The appliances came under attack. Mr Clark said: "As a result of that, one fire engine has a broken windscreen and two fire engines have broken side windows. Those windows are really difficult to smash, so the force of the attack has been quite significant."
He added: "What that has left is three fire engines which weren't available for life safety cover across Tyne and Wear throughout the later part of last night while we repaired them and into today repairs continue."
Mr Clark said: "Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service staff are ordinary people who come to work every single day, prepare to do extraordinary things for the public. The attacks are wholly unacceptable. It's got to stop and it's got to stop now."
Support and arrests
Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth also told the press conference: "We've seen last night how misinformation can cause significant harm and those responsible will be held to account." She said additional money has been put into the violence reduction unit and anyone affected by yesterday's events can find support on her online victim directory, which helps people affected by crime in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.
North Tyneside's Elected Mayor Karen Clark said: "What happened in Meadow Well last night was appalling. It was completely unacceptable behaviour. There is no excuse for this kind of violence and disorder, particularly when our emergency services are being attacked simply for doing their jobs. I want to say that our emergency services have our full support."
She added: "I would encourage anyone who has information about the events to please come forward and let's get these people apprehended."
Two men aged 25 and 27, a woman aged 27, and three teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and are currently in police custody. Anyone with information should visit Northumbria Police's dedicated Public Portal or call 101, quoting reference number NP-20261105-0757.
