Six arrests over Meadow Well Bonfire Night violence
Six people, including three teenage boys, have been arrested after a night of violence saw fireworks and bricks launched at emergency services on Bonfire Night.
Northumbria Police said its crews had been attacked after responding to reports of anti-social behaviour in Meadow Well in North Tyneside at about 21:00 GMT on Thursday.
A number of officers were injured and five police cars and three fire engines were damaged, with the disorder linked to misinformation that a building would be a house of multiple occupation (HMO) for asylum seekers, the force said.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service area manager Phil Clark said: “I’ve worked here for 33 years, it’s the worst that I have seen.”
Clark said one fire engine had a smashed windscreen and two others had their side windows smashed, leaving all three out of service on the busiest night of the year.
“Those windows are difficult to smash so the force of the attacks have been quite significant,” he said.
Ch Supt Daniel Whyte said anyone involved in the disorder on Waterville Road should expect a “knock on the door”.
Two men, aged 25 and 27, a 27-year-old woman, and three teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and remain in custody.
Whyte said there would be an increased police presence in the area to “offer reassurance”.
Ian Miller, who runs the local community centre The Meadows, said people had a right to feel safe where they live.
He told BBC Radio Newcastle emergency services should not have had to experience assaults and “rioting and causing this amount of trouble gets you nowhere”.
He said those who had been engaged in the violence did not represent most people living in the area.
