Disorder - no evidence of racial tension

Police dealing with two incidents of disorder in the same neighbourhood of Nuneaton during the past week have said that they do not believe that the incidents were the result of racial tension.

The disorder followed four incidents of tyres being slashed on vehicles in Nuneaton during the past fortnight - two of which were in the area local to the latest incidents.

A local man has been interviewed under caution in relation to the tyre slashing incidents. Enquiries are continuing.

Inspector Neil Harrison, from Nuneaton Police Station said:

"Our initial enquiries suggest that these disturbances are a response to a number of incidents of criminal damage that have happened in the past week or two, and there is nothing from the police investigation which at this time suggests that either the damage or the disorder has been racially motivated. Our information from the local community suggests that they share this view.

"Although there was one arrest yesterday in relation to a racially aggravated public order offence, at this stage we believe that this was incidental to the event.

"We will continue to keep an open mind and if any evidence comes to light to indicate that it was racially motivated we will obviously investigate that issue."

Inc 636 Wednesday 21 July - Edward Street

The first incident of disorder broke out in Edward Street at around 8.30pm on Wednesday 22 July following an allegation that a red Renault car had been damaged. The situation developed into a large scale disorder with a number of people involved, and with onlookers taking the total to around 100. Four teenagers were arrested:

A 14-year-old girl arrested for assaulting a police officer has been given a reprimand in relation to the offence.

A 15-year-old youth, arrested on suspicion of public order offences, has been charged to appear at court under S4 of the Public Order Act.

The two others arrested, both 16-year-olds, have been bailed to return to Bedworth Police Station on 17 August pending further enquiries.

Due to the large number of people involved, police officers from Nuneaton and Bedworth, Atherstone and Coleshill attended the area. They were supported by additional officers from West Midlands Police.

The situation was quickly diffused and calm was restored to the area at shortly after 9.30pm. High visibility patrols were maintained in the area throughout the evening although there were no further reports of trouble.

Inc 615 Thursday 22 July - Princes St, Nuneaton

Police were called to a further large scale disturbance at shortly before 9pm on Thursday 22 July, in Princes Street, Nuneaton. Initial reports were of around 20 youths fighting in the street. During the incident, the number of people grew around 100, although the majority are not thought to have been involved in any violence. One man received serious head injuries and was taken to hospital and admitted overnight. As of this afternoon (23 July), he remained in hospital.

One 17-year-old woman was arrested and has been charged with a racially aggravated public order offence. She has been bailed to appear at Nuneaton Youth Court on 28 July.

There was no reported damage to vehicles or other property. All available Reactive Police Officers from Nuneaton were utilised and the situation was successfully diffused by 10pm.

Police deployed six additional officers on foot patrol in the area between 6pm on Friday (23 July) until 2am this morning (24 July). There were no further incidents of violence or disturbance and the patrols were very well received by the local community.