Moment cops smash down doors and arrest suspected Sunderland rioters after a night of violence saw... (original) (raw)

This is the dramatic moment police in Sunderland smash down the front door of a suspected rioter in Sunderland, following a night of horrendous violence in the city.

Northumbria Police today released footage of officers arriving at the home and dragging out a handcuffed woman suspected of taking part in the riots, which tore through Sunderland on Friday night.

Warrants were carried out in Sunderland city centre and an address in the Ford Estate area of the city.

Two people were arrested, including a woman aged 43 on suspicion of violent disorder and a man aged 55 on suspicion of provoking violence.

It brings the total number of people arrested to 12.

This is the dramatic moment police in Sunderland smashed down the front door of a suspected rioter in Sunderland, following a night of horrendous violence in the city

Northumbria Police today released footage of officers arriving at the home and dragging out a handcuffed woman suspected of taking part in the riots, which tore through Sunderland on Friday night

The other include a woman, aged 47, two men aged 47 and 41, and a male aged 16, all arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.

A 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of provoking violence.

Two men, aged 34 and 27 were arrested on suspicion of burglary, two men, aged 61 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and one man aged 31 was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct.

The majority of those arrested are from the Sunderland area.

Police say more arrests are expected in coming days with a full investigation underway to identify anyone else responsible.

Chief Superintendent Mark Hall, who is area commander for Sunderland, said: 'Make no mistake, if you were involved last night expect to be met with the full force of the law.'

The arrests come in the wake of a night of 'unforgivable thuggery' that saw a police station and Citizen's Advice centre go up in flames, and several officers injured.

Sunderland is just one of many locations around the country that has seen rioting and unrest in the wake of the Southport stabbings, where three little girls were tragically killed.

The riots are thought to be triggered by misinformation spread online as to the identity of the teenager suspected of killing Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.

Axel Rudakubana, 17, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, was eventually named as the suspect in a bid to stop the chaos.

Sunderland woke up to carnage after riots tore through the city, as the clean up work begins with local residents and police starting to restore order. The burnt-out shell of a car that was torched in the riots last night is pictured

The burnt out interior of Sunderland Central Police Station today

The burnt remains of Sunderland Central Police Station this morning after the building was set on fire by rioters during violent protests last night

A smashed window is seen in Sunderland after the violent night of protests

Southport locals - including Elsie's mother - have desperately pleaded for the violence to stop to no avail.

More than 35 'Enough is Enough' demonstrations are planned across the UK this weekend, with several counter-protests by groups such as Unite Against Fascism and Stand Up to Racism also set to take place.

The Enough is Enough rallies have seen members of the far right among the protesters including one man with a swastika tattoo.

This morning, residents of Sunderland were confronted with the wreckage after it was besieged last night, when rioting yobs torched a police station and looted shops, as riot police were attacked with bricks and missiles by hooligans.

Yesterday evening, hundreds of people gathered in Keel Square in Sunderland, many of them draped in England flags.

Members of the crowd chanted in support of Tommy Robinson, while others shouted insults about Islam.

Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson speaks to the crowd of helpers as clean up work begins to restore order to the streets of Sunderland this morning

Police and residents are seen in Sunderland today, with damage seen in the background

A police car is parked near a cordon in Sunderland this morning after the riots

Mounted police followed the march, along with officers in vans who battled their way through traffic to keep up.

However, some protesters descended into violence, setting an overturned car on fire, while others targeted a mosque.

Videos posted on social media appeared to show a fire at a city centre police office, which was marked permanently closed on Google Maps and was no longer listed on a police station finder on Northumbria Police's website.

Police in protective gear came under sustained attack as rioters set off fire extinguishers on them on High West Street.

Riots have ignited in Sunderland in the aftermath of the stabbing in Southport

In a warning to organisers this weekend, Home Office minister Lord Hanson vowed 'we will be watching you' to prevent 'summer madness' from spreading, with police chiefs also warning those exploiting the nation's grief won't be tolerated.

Kelly Chequer, deputy leader of Sunderland City Council, expressed her condolences to the victims of the Southport stabbings - before slamming those who ran riot in the streets.

'What we saw last night in Sunderland was nothing more than mindless violence and disorder led by a minority with an agenda of hate. what we saw was totally unacceptable.

'We know that sadly many of those in our city last night were not from here but came to cause chaos and stoke tensions and i want to make it clear that there is no place for these people. They are not welcome here.'

Four police officers have been hospitalised following the violence.

Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall said: 'I can confirm that four officers were taken to hospital for treatment last night.

'Three received injuries as a direct result of the disorder.

'In addition, one of our mounted riders sustained serious injuries in an accident and is receiving treatment in hospital.'

He said a full investigation is now under way to identify those responsible.

'Make no mistake, if you were involved last night, expect to be met with the full force of the law,' he said.

He described the violent protests in Sunderland on Friday as 'unforgivable'.

He said: 'The shocking scenes we witnessed in Sunderland last night were appalling and completely unacceptable.

'During the course of the evening, our officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence.

'This was not a protest - this was unforgivable violence and disorder.'

He condemned the 'attempt to drive division amongst us' and said 'we are committed to make sure that doesn't happen'.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4 this morning, Sunderland MP Lewis Atkinson said he was 'really sad' about last night's mayhem and the 'racists [who] decided to turn up do not at all represent our city'.

He added: 'A night of idiots will not prevent us from building.'

Former police chief constable Sue Sim urged those who are considering joining the mayhem this weekend to 'think very carefully' before causing 'further pain and heartache' to the little girls' families.

Southport's MP also slammed the thugs for their actions, and branded them as 'disgusting extremists hijacking grief'.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those stoking the scenes of disorder 'do not represent Britain'.

She posted on X: 'Criminals attacking the police & stoking disorder on our streets will pay the price for their violence & thuggery.

'The police have the full backing of Government to take the strongest possible action & ensure they face the full force of the law.'