Chief’s thanks to community as policing operation continues in East Leicester

Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon has thanked the community for their ongoing support as our policing operation continues in the East Leicester area.

Proactive policing patrols are continuing in the area and full investigations remain ongoing following the recent incidents with a team of 24 investigators working to identify people responsible. A community meeting was also held last night.

A dispersal order was placed in the area yesterday evening. However no dispersals were made as part of this.

Further arrests were also made in the Belgrave area yesterday evening (Wednesday). Just after 10pm, police were deployed to the Down Street area where a 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill. A 26-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. No-one was injured during the incident.

A number of arrests have also been made this morning (Thursday) in the East Leicester area after officers executed a number of warrants.

Four men aged 31, 27, 27 and 25 were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder – these arrests are in connection with reports of disturbance on Monday 5 September.

A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, which relates to reports of disturbance on 28 August.

Two men, aged 24 and 29, from Birmingham have also been arrested this morning on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with the incident on 5 September.

All those arrested remain in custody at this time as officers continue to establish the full circumstances.

Temporary Chief Constable Nixon said: “Firstly I would again like to place on record my thanks to the communities of East Leicester for their support and co-operation both in response to the incidents and our policing operation and investigations.

“I am grateful to those members of the community who have joined us in calling for calm and an end to the recent incidents of violence. I want to assure you a robust policing plan remains in place and increased patrols will continue.

“The community meeting shared the progress that we are making together. I am extremely grateful to all who were able to attend and contributed. I would like to reassure you we are in a strong position and our communities are safe. This is a minority of people we are dealing with who are causing disturbance to our communities.

“Last night was calmer. Our officers enforced a dispersal order in the area, however no dispersals were required. A number of arrests have also been made yesterday evening and this morning. Today we are also appealing to the public for information to help us identify people we would like to speak to as part of our investigations. This appeal can be found here - Appeal to speak to men pictured following report of disorder in East Leicester | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk).

“As a force we continuing to work alongside community leaders both to find a peaceful resolution to these recent incidents and to bring those responsible to justice. We are continuing to ask anyone with information to come forward.

“I know that speculation is continuing on social media and I am making a direct plea for you not to get involved and ensure that Leicester remains the diverse, harmonious city we all know it is.

“Thank you for continuing to support us and continuing to pull together with us.”