Wednesday, May 19, 2004
WHAT IS PETERBOROUGH COMING TO???
Just what is Peterborough coming to???
This follows violence after a mob went on the rampage in Welland.
STREET VIOLENCE: Fire terror as gangs clash
AN ANGRY mob gathered on the streets of Peterborough last night as tensions spilled over into violence for the second time in just three days.
Police were drafted in from across the county, and officers were even sent to the city from Essex to help contain a disturbance in which fights broke out, vehicles were damaged and a house was set alight.
Hundreds of youths were involved in the incident, which happened at about 10pm, in Searjeant Street, Harris Street and Parliament Street, Millfield.
Hours earlier, a meeting had been held between community leaders and police to discuss racial tension.
Tasmeena Kausar Khan (22) was alone in her terraced home in Parliament Street, where she lives with her parents, when burning material was pushed through the letterbox.
Miss Khan heard the smoke alarm sound while she was washing up. She had earlier lit scented candles, and thought one of them had fallen over.
But when she walked into the living room, she saw flames a foot high leaping from the mat beneath the front door.
Miss Khan, who works as a technician at Millfield Pharmacy, in Lincoln Road, ran back to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water. She poured it on to the burning mat, putting out the fire before it could spread.
Today, she said: "I'm still shaken. I've lived here all my life and this has never happened before.
"I'm shocked that there are people who can do this. You aren't even safe in your own home any more."
Her father, Munawar Khan (53), who was out walking when the fire happened, added: "This kind of thing should not happen in a civilised world. I don't know why people have done this to my home. I have no enemies."
Following the arson attack, gangs of Pakistani and Kurdish men then clashed in the streets.
One of the damaged employment agency vans in Searjeant Street today.
Minibuses belonging to Lynx recruitment, which were parked in Searjeant Street, were vandalised by the mob.
Wesley Parker, a partner in the business, said: "The side and rear windows of three vehicles have been shattered.
"I've no idea how much repairs are going to cost."
Cambridgeshire police spokeswoman Sarah Cooper confirmed that large numbers of officers attended the incident, and that the force helicopter and dog handlers had also been called in.
She said patrols remained in the area until the early hours of today, adding that police would continue their presence in the area tonight.
Miss Cooper said: "Senior police officers are appealing for calm."
> Anyone with information about what happened should call police on 01733 563232.
Youths arrested following previous disturbance
FOLLOWING last night's disturbance, two youths were arrested.
A 16-year-old boy, from Peterborough, is being questioned by officers on suspicion of disorderly behaviour, and remains in custody at Thorpe Wood police station.
An 18-year-old male, also from Peterborough, was arrested on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon, and was cautioned by police.
Another teenager is to appear in court in connection with Sunday's disturbance.
Mohammed Hotak (18), of Deanscroft, Westwood, Peterborough, was charged with threatening behaviour, possessing a bladed article, and two counts of having an offensive weapon in public. He has been bailed to appear before Peterborough magistrates on Friday.
This follows violence after a mob went on the rampage in Welland.
STREET VIOLENCE: Fire terror as gangs clash
AN ANGRY mob gathered on the streets of Peterborough last night as tensions spilled over into violence for the second time in just three days.
Police were drafted in from across the county, and officers were even sent to the city from Essex to help contain a disturbance in which fights broke out, vehicles were damaged and a house was set alight.
Hundreds of youths were involved in the incident, which happened at about 10pm, in Searjeant Street, Harris Street and Parliament Street, Millfield.
Hours earlier, a meeting had been held between community leaders and police to discuss racial tension.
Tasmeena Kausar Khan (22) was alone in her terraced home in Parliament Street, where she lives with her parents, when burning material was pushed through the letterbox.
Miss Khan heard the smoke alarm sound while she was washing up. She had earlier lit scented candles, and thought one of them had fallen over.
But when she walked into the living room, she saw flames a foot high leaping from the mat beneath the front door.
Miss Khan, who works as a technician at Millfield Pharmacy, in Lincoln Road, ran back to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water. She poured it on to the burning mat, putting out the fire before it could spread.
Today, she said: "I'm still shaken. I've lived here all my life and this has never happened before.
"I'm shocked that there are people who can do this. You aren't even safe in your own home any more."
Her father, Munawar Khan (53), who was out walking when the fire happened, added: "This kind of thing should not happen in a civilised world. I don't know why people have done this to my home. I have no enemies."
Following the arson attack, gangs of Pakistani and Kurdish men then clashed in the streets.
One of the damaged employment agency vans in Searjeant Street today.
Minibuses belonging to Lynx recruitment, which were parked in Searjeant Street, were vandalised by the mob.
Wesley Parker, a partner in the business, said: "The side and rear windows of three vehicles have been shattered.
"I've no idea how much repairs are going to cost."
Cambridgeshire police spokeswoman Sarah Cooper confirmed that large numbers of officers attended the incident, and that the force helicopter and dog handlers had also been called in.
She said patrols remained in the area until the early hours of today, adding that police would continue their presence in the area tonight.
Miss Cooper said: "Senior police officers are appealing for calm."
> Anyone with information about what happened should call police on 01733 563232.
Youths arrested following previous disturbance
FOLLOWING last night's disturbance, two youths were arrested.
A 16-year-old boy, from Peterborough, is being questioned by officers on suspicion of disorderly behaviour, and remains in custody at Thorpe Wood police station.
An 18-year-old male, also from Peterborough, was arrested on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon, and was cautioned by police.
Another teenager is to appear in court in connection with Sunday's disturbance.
Mohammed Hotak (18), of Deanscroft, Westwood, Peterborough, was charged with threatening behaviour, possessing a bladed article, and two counts of having an offensive weapon in public. He has been bailed to appear before Peterborough magistrates on Friday.
