Hindu-Muslim riots in Leicester: Police arrest 47 people

According to reports, riots broke out as Hindu and Muslim community members clashed with each other in the region.

"A 20-year-old man has been sentenced 10 months in prison following his arrest during the disorder in East Leicester," Leicestershire Police said in a statement.

Amos Noronha, of Illingworth Road, Leicester, appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court this morning (Monday) and pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon.

He was arrested Saturday night  during the police operation in East Leicester.

"In total, 47 people have been arrested for offences in relation to the unrest in the east of the city," read the statement.

Some of those arrested were from out of the city, including some people from Birmingham.

The investigations into these offences are on going with dedicated staff collecting evidence.

Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon said: “This quick charge reflects the hard work the officers have put in, with overwhelming evidence against Noronha. The sentence is reflective of the fact that this was a serious offence and he has ended up with time in prison."

“We saw last night a group of people from other cities come to our city to disrupt and cause harm. We will not stand for this unrest in our city. There is an extensive policing operation on going, acting on information and reports of gatherings and offering community reassurance," Nixon said.

The Indian High Commission in the UK has condemned the violence against the Indian community and vandalising of Hindu religious premises in Leicester.

“We strongly condemn the violence perpetrated against the Indian Community in Leicester and vandalization of premises and symbols of Hindu religion. We have strongly taken up this matter with the UK authorities and have sought immediate action against those involved in these attacks,” read the release issued by the Indian High Commission.

The commission urged authorities to provide protection to affected people.

Drishti Mae, 31, a lifelong Leicester resident who used to chair a national Hindu organisation, told The Guardian the recent unrest was unprecedented in the more than three decades she had lived in the city.

“It’s the Hindu community that’s being targeted, a first-generation migrant community,” Mae said, claiming Hindu families were being harassed by some Muslims in the city.

“They feel threatened, and attacked,” she added, saying the police were failing to protect property, people and places of worship. “We do have a right to protect ourselves,” she told the newspaper.