Pc and two others hurt in protest

Related Stories

A police officer and two other people suffered head injuries during a protest outside a Sikh community centre.

About 200 people gathered at the Sikh Cultural Centre in Dudley, West Midlands, to demonstrate over allegations that meat and alcohol were being served on the premises.

Violence erupted at about 1245 BST after some of the protestors forced their way into the building.

The three injured people are in a stable condition in hospital.

West Midlands Police have not commented on the nature of the injuries but said some protestors were throwing missiles at officers.

A second police officer received minor dental injuries.

“I would urge those responsible for the violence to hand themselves in to their local police station immediately or face officers arresting them at home in the very near future”

Ch Insp Deb Doyle West Midlands Police

A 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of violent disorder was later released on police bail bending further inquiries.

The force said the demonstrators spent about five hours inside the centre, adding that “significant damage” was caused.

Ch Insp Deb Doyle said: “What started as a peaceful protest soon turned to violence when a minority of people started throwing missiles at officers and then forced their way inside the centre.

“Once inside they have vandalised the building and refused to leave until the centre managers agreed to ban the supply of meat and alcohol on the premises.

“I would urge those responsible for the violence to hand themselves in to their local police station immediately or face officers arresting them at home in the very near future.”

No alcohol or meat is permitted in property belonging to Sikh places of worship.

Roads around the centre in Swancote Road were closed to allow emergency services access to the site and the building remains cordoned off while investigations are carried out.

Police said CCTV footage was seized from the site.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said crews were called to the scene shortly after 1300 BST.

A spokeswoman said ambulance staff remained at the centre on stand-by until 1800 BST at the request of police, but there were no more casualties.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *