§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis with regard to incidents of public disorder which occurred in Camberwell, London, on Sunday 25 March; what was the ethnic breakdown of the persons involved; and if he will make a statement on the substance of the report.
§ Mr. HurdThe commissioner tells me that, on the information provided, he is unable to identify any incident of public disorder in Camberwell on 25 March.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis with regard to incidents of public disorder which occurred in Brixton, London, on the morning of Monday 26 March; what was the ethnic breakdown of the persons involved; and if he will make a statement on the substance of the report.
§ Mr. HurdThe commissioner tells me that at 4.30 am on 26 March 130 police officers were present when bailiffs acting on behalf of Lambeth council went to remove squatters from properties in Effra Road, Brixton. About 50 squatters were in the houses and some 50 demonstrators had gathered in the street. All of the squatters, and most of the demonstrators, where white. A derelict house had been set alight and barricades, including an overturned car, had been set up. Sixty officers wearing protective equipment were deployed to clear the barricades and enable the bailiffs to reach the properties. Some missiles were thrown by the demonstrators. A police officer who was not wearing protective equipment was injured 49W slightly. By 6.30 am, the properties had been cleared and boarded up, and the street was quiet. Six people were arrested, one for assaulting a police officer, the others for obstruction of the highway. The area has remained quiet since 26 March.