Riot police were deployed in Meadow Well on Bonfire Night as violence and disorder broke out, with buildings set alight and fireworks and missiles launched. Emergency service workers were attacked as they responded to the scenes, which police believe were "pre-arranged".
Large groups gathered around the Waterville Road area of the estate, where a building under construction was targeted. Northumbria Police suspect the disorder stemmed from "misinformation in the community" about the future of the building.
Police blame misinformation over HMO claims
A spokesperson for the force said: "We believe the disorder has been pre-arranged and relates to misinformation in the community that the completed 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."
Officers formed a barricade around the building in attempts to diffuse the disorder, which one local resident described as "like something out of a movie". He added that he had never witnessed scenes like tonight in Meadow Well.
Emergency crews attacked and Metro station closed
Northumbria Police confirmed that 999 crews in the area have been subjected to "violent attacks including having bricks, missiles, and fireworks thrown at them". The nearby Meadow Well Metro Station was closed to the public as a result of the chaotic scenes.
The spokesperson added: "This behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we are working swiftly to identify those responsible and deal with them robustly. We simply will not tolerate this behaviour – and it doesn't belong within our neighbourhoods. If you've got any information which could assist us to identify anyone involved, please send us a direct message, quoting: NP-20261105-0493."
