Six people have been arrested in connection with disorder in Meadow Well on Bonfire Night, during which emergency crews were attacked and vehicles were damaged. Five police cars and three fire engines were damaged, and several officers were injured after being called to Waterville Road just before 8pm on 5 November.
Officers were dispatched after reports of a gathering outside a building on the road, where those present were attacking the premises with fireworks and had deliberately rammed the building with a car.
Disorder Linked to HMO Misinformation
The disorder is understood to have stemmed from "misinformation in the community" about the future of the building, with rumours that it was to become an HMO. Police have confirmed this is not the case, and the building is expected to become a Heron Foods supermarket with private flats above.
Northumbria Police has confirmed that two men aged 25 and 27, a woman aged 27, and three teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and are in police custody.
Police and Fire Service Response
Chief Superintendent Daniel Whyte, Area Commander for North Tyneside, said the disorder "will not be tolerated" and that "anyone involved should be expecting a knock on the door". He described the scenes as "completely unacceptable" and noted that officers and firefighters were met with violence, including fireworks and bricks being thrown at them and their vehicles.
Ch Supt Whyte said the disorder relates to misinformation about the building being used as an HMO, which is not accurate, and shared the site's planned use as a supermarket with flats above for private rent to stop speculation. He added that the response has been "swift and robust" with a full investigation ongoing, and encouraged anyone with information or footage to come forward, including via a dedicated webpage or by calling 101, quoting reference number NP-20261105-0757.
Community and Official Condemnation
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Lynsey McVay of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said three fire appliances were damaged while dealing with a life-critical incident, meaning they were not available to respond to other emergencies. She stated that anti-social behaviour and criminality of this nature have no place in communities and put the public and responders at risk.
North Tyneside's Elected Mayor, Karen Clark, called the events "appalling and completely unacceptable," adding that there is no excuse for such violence, particularly when emergency services are attacked for doing their jobs. Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth described the scenes as "abhorrent" and highlighted the harm misinformation can cause, thanking all those who responded and encouraging anyone with information to report it to the police.
