Twenty-two people have been arrested after rioters attacked a building destined to become a Heron Foods supermarket in North Shields' Meadow Well estate on Bonfire Night, delaying the store's opening and cancelling job interviews for local residents.
The disorder, which took place on November 5, saw gangs hurl fireworks at the property on Waterville Road, drive a car into it, and set it alight. Riot police were also attacked by what one resident described as a group of around 200 "kids".
Northumbria Police said the violence was fuelled by misinformation that the building would become a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for asylum seekers. In fact, it was set to house a new branch of discount food store Heron Foods with self-contained flats above.
Residents Express Anger and Frustration
Residents of Meadow Well, an estate still haunted by its 1991 riots reputation, expressed anger that the thugs' actions had deprived them of a much-needed supermarket and new jobs. Wayne Stephen, 51, said: "The young un's should be locked-up. It's awful to look at the newspapers or watch the news and see where you live, because some idiots think it's funny to steal cars, set fire to buildings and cause chaos. I thought Meadow Well had got past its reputation, the area started to be calm. Then we had kids starting to hang around and it kicked everything off."
Stephen claimed most locals knew the building would be attacked a week before Bonfire Night, and that police appeared outnumbered by the yobs. "I knew it was going to happen a week before. Everyone knew it was going to happen," he said. "The police were getting hit by rocks and stones. They couldn't even get the fire engine here to put the car out. The kids had them cornered. There was a good 100 police officers here, but about 200 kids."
Dean Brown, 22, who lived nearby, said: "I'm just confused about why people have done it. I understand what the building is for but there's been some rumours going round. Knowing what it was made for. It's sad to see it. It would be good having a new shop there it would save walking about 20 minutes."
Community Leaders and Police Respond
Mum-of-one Dawn Bailey, 49, who has lived on the estate for 23 years, said: "I just think it's horrible because people will ask where you live and when you say Meadow Well people will judge you. But I'm proud of where I'm from. There's so many lovely people around this estate and now the Meadow Well has been tarnished again." Her friend Anna McKeown, 67, added: "It's a b****y disgrace. They are trying to do something nice. That new Heron would have been ideal for the elderly and people without cars. Now they have got to go to Shields if they need food."
Developer Urfan Ahmed, who owns the building, said Heron Foods had been due to open before Christmas, but the damage would delay this. Solomon Lennox, CEO of the Cedarwood Trust, a community development charity on the estate, said some residents who had applied for jobs at the new shop had been told their interviews had been cancelled. "There are residents who have had job interviews lined-up who have been told their interviews had been cancelled or postponed," he said. "The developer has reconfirmed his commitment, it would have been easy for them to walk away I'm sure."
Lennox condemned the violence but noted that most of the community remained united. "We had a really good meeting on Tuesday evening. We had 20 or 30 residents, they spoke with a lot of positivity and hope," he said. "It's really sad to see Meadow Well on the front of the papers again. For those who lived through 1991 and those who remember it, it brought up a lot of feelings they didn't want to be haunted by."
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "We were aware of misinformation in relation to the premises' use, and engagement had taken place within the local community to address this. The disorder, violence and damage we witnessed will not be tolerated. Our response has been swift and robust, with 22 people – aged between 12 and 66 – arrested in connection with what happened. The investigation is ongoing and officers are continuing with their enquiries to identify all those responsible." Anyone with information is asked to contact police via social media, the website, or by calling 101, quoting reference number NP-20261105-0757.
