Dozens of masked people gathered outside the Durga Bhawan Hindu temple in the Smethwick area of Birmingham on Tuesday night, protesting a planned event. Police in riot helmets and shields were seen confronting the crowd and trying to move them away from the temple as protesters scaled the surrounding fence. Riot police can be seen standing around the temple in Smethwick (Screengrab) A man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a knife, with witnesses claiming bottles and firecrackers were thrown. Have you been influenced by this story? If so, please email [email protected] The scenes follow those seen in Leicester a few days earlier, where there were clashes on Saturday and Sunday, with Leicestershire police arresting 47 people following the tension following a recent cricket match between India and Pakistan. The incident came as Hindu and Muslim leaders in Leicester issued a joint statement calling for unity and calm. “Our two religions have lived harmoniously in this wonderful city for over half a century,” he said. “We came to this city together, faced the same challenges together, fought against racist haters together, and collectively made this city a beacon of diversity and community cohesion.” Officers close in on protesters as a huge crowd gathers (Screengrab) Leicester East MP Claudia Webbe said communities in her constituency had been traumatized by the weekend violence. “People have told me they haven’t left their homes since the first spark, the India v Pakistan cricket match on August 28,” Ms Webbe told the Independent. “I deal with a huge number of communications and residents, particularly women and young people, who need support. They are petrified, very scared. They are told to fear their neighbors, people they have grown up with side by side for decades. “People working in factories said they downed tools to go home and protect their families. This is worrying because they are already living in poverty. they cannot suffer any further loss of income. This is a real trauma left in the community.” Tensions appear to have spread to Birmingham after the clashes in Leicester (Screengrab) The former Labor MP, now an independent after being found guilty of harassment, fears the situation is not isolated. So far, a man from Leicester has been jailed for his role in the incident, but police confirmed several of those arrested were from outside the city. Amos Noronha, 20, was sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in connection with the violence, but no further details of his crime were released. Local councilor Ahmad Bostan condemned the scenes, writing: “The despicable scenes witnessed in Smethwick tonight do not represent the harmonious rich diversity of our town and those who came with bad intentions will be dealt with by the law. “Our communities stand together against this kind of bigotry and the peddlers of hate are not welcome here.” Ms Webbe warned that “toxic messages of hate” had been spread on social media by extremist groups aimed at inciting violence among young men. “We need to be able to tackle the extremism and right-wing fascism that plagues our online media, because that’s where demonization and incitement to religious and racial hatred is shared and developed,” Ms Webbe said. A spokesman for West Midlands Police said an 18-year-old man was arrested at the demonstration in Smethwick on suspicion of possessing a knife. “Following a protest rally in Smethwick last night [20 September]there was some minor disturbance and one person was arrested. “We had a pre-planned police presence near the temple in Spon Lane where fireworks and rockets were fired at some of our officers. Fortunately no one was injured. “We are also looking into reports of a small number of damaged cars. “To ensure that there is no outbreak of serious violence, we have had stop and search powers until this morning. We continue to provide a visible police presence, working closely with faith leaders and partners across the community to provide reassurance. “We will continue to monitor the situation locally and across the region.” The Indian High Commission and on Tuesday the Pakistani High Commission condemned the violence. Leicestershire Police said they had been given enough resources, with extra officers deployed from the West Midlands, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Horses from Thames Valley Police have also been deployed to the city, the force added.
