A Diwali lights switch-on event passed off peacefully in Leicester over the weekend as police officers from South Wales patrolled the city’s Belgrave area which had witnessed group clashes recently.
The celebrations, marking the arrival of the festival of lights, began on Sunday evening at Cossington Recreation Ground which hosted the Diwali Village, a programme featuring cultural and entertainment activities.
Leicestershire Police, however, did not comment on whether the reinforcement was linked to the violent confrontations between Hindu and Muslim groups in the city in August and September.
A spokesman told LeicestershireLive that the local police were provided “mutual aid support” by other forces.
Temporary chief constable Rob Nixon said it was “wonderful” to see that communities could come together for the celebrations even as officers continued their “high-visibility patrols” engaging with families.
The security arrangements would be in place for Diwali Day on October 24, he said as the force urged people not to share any unconfirmed information on social media.
"This evening, the Diwali light switch-on took place peacefully with officers providing a visible but reassuring presence,” Leicestershire Police tweeted on Sunday.
“Our officers spoke to many families at the light switch-on who were grateful to see and chat with them,” the social media post read.
It also said:“A reminder please to only share information on social media that you know to be true."
Misinformation circulated on the internet is blamed for the escalation of the recent unrest in the diverse city.
The force confirmed that 61 people were arrested in connection with the violence as the investigation into the disorder continued.
“Our investigation team continues to work hard carrying out numerous volumes of enquiry to progress the investigations,” it said in a statement.
Diwali celebration in Leicester is known as one the biggest such events outside India. Sunday’s event heralded the first full-fledged celebrations of the festival after the pandemic restrictions were eased.
Leicester: Welsh police drafted in to beef up security for smooth Diwali celebrations
Police force confirmed that 61 people have been arrested in connection with the Leicester communal violence.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)