Timeline: How the events of yesterday unfolded
Rumours begin to spread yesterday morning on social networking site Twitter that shops in the city were being looted and buildings were on fire.
Police were quick to dispel the unfounded claims and urged people not to spread gossip.
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Riot in the city centre
They said on Twitter: “There are a lot of rumours circulating that are unhelpful and unnerving for the community. Please think before you tweet.”
But fears of rioting prompt many businesses to close early.
At 2pm, many jewellery shops in Belgrave Road closed up amid fears they would be looted. About 50 shops in total closed after rumours rioting was about to start.
Arti Tank, 25, of Deepam clothes shop, says: “Everyone was saying there was rioting in town.
“First of all the jewellery shops started closing, then all the other shops started shutting too.”
Deepam closed its Belgrave Road branch for an hour-and-a-half, while its Melton Road branch remained shut all afternoon.
Around 4pm, Boots close in Gallowtree Gate and a number of shops in The Lanes also shut early.
Tom Bodsworth, manager of Panasonic Store, in St Martin’s Square, tells the Mercury: “The police haven’t advised us to close early but we’ve seen what’s been happening in other places and that looters are grabbing what they can from places such as ours so we thought we would take some steps.”
He said the store would close early for the next few days and all stock would be removed.
Nearby Pizza Express posts a notice saying it was closing early to ensure the safety of customers and staff, though bosses at Highcross shopping centre say it is business as usual.
Shortly before 5pm, police issue a statement reassuring people that “we haven’t experienced the kinds of senseless criminal acts that have been seen elsewhere in the country”.
They increase neighbourhood patrols as a precaution.
By about 8pm a small group of people, including Leicestershire Ethnic Community Partnership, gather at the Clock Tower for a peace protest.
By 9.30pm, when darkness had fallen, a group of around 50 young people gather, some wearing masks and hoods. Police begin moving them from the Clock Tower along Gallowtree Gate. Some use police dogs to help disperse the group.
Shortly afterwards, windows are smashed in Curveside cafe and a neighbouring shoe shop in Halford Street.
A group of 50 to 60 young people then run along Granby Street smashing the windows of several premises, including Jacobs camera shop and the Ramada Jarvis hotel. Some youths use road signs to break the glass.
At about 10pm, gangs of men are seen walking around Loseby Lane carrying table legs and shop windows are broken.
Four police vans arrive outside Highcross, near the Clock Tower.
Teams of police get out carrying toughened plastic riot shields and charge up High Street to join colleagues who are at the far end, near the entrance to St Peter’s Square, in Highcross.
A stand-off ensues between police and around 40 young people, aged mostly in their 20s, who are shouting at officers.
A frightened elderly couple sheltering in a doorway opposite The Globe pub, in Silver Street, have to be helped to safety.
As the yobs spread from High Street, windows are smashed at some shops in St Peter’s Square.
At about 11.30pm, the windows of The Last Plantagenet pub, in Granby Street, are smashed, and there were reports of people stealing alcohol and charity boxes from inside.
As groups of vandals split up and rampage through the city, they are pursued by riot police.
Throughout the night and into the early hours of this morning, the sounds of wailing sirens and a police helicopter could be heard as small groups confronted the police.
Many taxi drivers left the city centre early because they were afraid to be on the streets.
Driver Harun Shah, who was ranked up at Leicester railway station, in London Road, says: “A lot of drivers have gone home because they are scared.
“I tried going into town earlier but I turned back because there were a lot of youths wearing masks.”
By 12.30am, glazing companies are in Granby Street boarding up damaged windows.
32 Comments
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by Praetorian66
Thursday, August 11 2011, 8:59AM
“Rant over...”
by Praetorian66
Thursday, August 11 2011, 8:41AM
“@sansue - you've lost the flipping plot as much as the t0553rs you're protecting!! No one mentioned racial issues - YOU DID! Not everything revolves around colour, race OR the chip on your shoulder! GET REAL!”
by Mick2010
Thursday, August 11 2011, 8:37AM
“It is interesting to read the diverse views of so many people on this topic.
Often, we arrive at the wrong solution to a problem because we don't properly identify the problem in the first place.
When I see people acting in an anti-social way I try to fathom what made them behave in that way. I suspect that there is no single reason. Yesterday I read an article by Max Hastings; this article shines some light on the present problem of widespread disorder. It also suggests the existence of a situation which, unless addressed, mean that our society will not get any better in the foreseeable future.
Before contributors to this thread make personal attacks on each other, can I suggest that you read this article, it may help to inform the debate.
http://tinyurl.com/4ybgmwn”
by lissabeth
Thursday, August 11 2011, 5:59AM
“went into town last night,with husband.almost a normal night apart from the police presence and the larger than usual amount of`yoofs` on bikes.i think most of them should have been in bed with a parent reading them a bedtime story!i saw the police taking more care of them than so called parents,especially a group outside mcdonalds.one of whom i could not give a letter to post as he would be unable to reach the letter box !
is it not an offence to ride a bike at night without lights ?confiscate the bikes!”
by le8man
Wednesday, August 10 2011, 5:43PM
“handymanphil- what this is the revolution of the people? i think not, you must inhabit some other part of the Universe to the rest of us.
All reports from participants lend weight to the proposition that this is 1) Opportunist criminality not a political action 2) they do not think they will get caught 3) the police had the wrong tactics
The PM has made it clear to day that the gloves are now off and, the people pulling the strings, the political agitators and crime gangs can expect the FULL weight of the state to be used against them.”
by leicguy
Wednesday, August 10 2011, 3:26PM
“Politics have nothing to do with these acts, if we are to believe that these youths are 16 - 18 generally then remember they were brought up and educated through a Labour government not a tory one. And regardless of who was in power presently cuts would of been made and the same result would of happened. One London rioter girl interviewed by radio 5 live yesterday was asked why?! her response "were doing it because of the rich, were showing them that we can do anything we want, we showing the government, the con uhhhh servatives, urhhh I think thats who they are, that we can do anything we like" these people know nothing of politics, nothing of the state of the country...... they were simply bored and wanted to rob some stuff and cause some mayhem. The girl in question said many more things that would change the average 'trying to understand why' person's point of view too....I believe the interview is available on the 5 live podcast...I suggest anyone who has any other thoughts as to why these acts of criminality occur, listen and then put all shadow of a doubt aside and realise the government / economy has nothing to do with it.”
by Transmon Engineering Ltd
Wednesday, August 10 2011, 3:11PM
“Handymanphi
Until election time.”
by R_V007
Wednesday, August 10 2011, 2:56PM
“These s*** bags better think twice before going out on the streets of town attemting to distroy our city again .WE WILL NOT HAVE IT SIMPLE AND PARENTS TAKE SOME ****** RESPONSIBILITY OF YOUR MINDLESS KIDS. YOU CHOSE TO HAVE THEM NOW LOOK AFTER THEM OR SEEK HELP.”
by handymanphil
Wednesday, August 10 2011, 2:45PM
“Funny how we all see things differently!
Coley RS-I have never advised anyone to join the police force for that exact reason-who wants to invite injury at work? Anyone who joins any such forces knows they do so with the knowledge that they risk personal injury. It is the nature of the beast.
And if you think my comment re Downing Street was wrong then ask yourself who runs this now delapidated dictatorial state-certainly not innocent car owners, shop owners or public spirited people! Familiarity breeds contempt-we, the people, are treated with contempt!”
by thefalcon62
Wednesday, August 10 2011, 2:44PM
“handymanphil you are a prat ...the s.c.u.m on our streets are not there because of some society problem its because they are thieving s.c.u.m...probably sent by there parents to get whatever they can....”