A man has been arrested following a scuffle in the Belgrave area of Leicester — which is predominantly Indian-origin — during the celebration of India’s victory over Pakistan in an Asia Cup T20 cricket match over the weekend.
A video circulated on social media shows a few men throwing punches at others in Shaftesbury Avenue, off Melton Road. A person’s shirt was torn off during the fight.
A reveller apparently attacked a Leicester police officer before the former was overpowered. Other officers of the force intervened to defuse the situation. Cricket fans also reportedly chanted anti-Pakistan slogans during the celebrations which turned ugly.
Speaking to TOI, Dharmesh Lakhani, owner of Bobby’s Restaurant on Belgrave Road, said, “The majority of the celebrations were positive and people were having a good evening
celebrating India’s win. I am told that someone anti-India stamped on an Indian flag and the Indian fans thought that person was Pakistani and that infuriated the India
supporters.”
According to a LeicesterLive report, police confirmed that a 28-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault. He has since been released under investigation.
In a tweet, the East Leicester Police team said: "An investigation is under way to identify those responsible.
"We are treating this chanting as a hate crime and anyone found to have been taking part will be dealt with accordingly."
East Leicester police inspector Yakub Ismail added the force had a zero-tolerance approach towards attacks on officers on duty.
"Following the events of Sunday evening, local officers are continuing to engage with young people, community leaders and stakeholders in the area”, the inspector said, adding, “We want to ensure that any future celebrations are organised in a planned, safe and considerate manner.”
Leicestershire Federation of Muslim Organisations said the footage of the incident was disturbing and urged local communities to work together to maintain peace and harmony.
"Hate, intolerance and violence by any group must have no place in our city,” the organisation’s spokesperson Suleman Nagdi told LicesterLive.
“Such actions must be widely condemned and swiftly dealt with by the law," he said.
Speaking on the violence, Claudia Webbe, MP for Leicester East, told TOI that "It's vital that we work together to share the message of tolerance so that we can bring our communities together."
Bob Blackman MP speaks during the event