§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis concerning incidents of public disorder which occurred in Tottenham on Tuesday 3 May 1983; and if he will make a statement on the substance of the report with particular regard to the ethnic breakdown of those involved.
§ Mr. MayhewWe understand from the Commissioner that the incidents took place outside High Cross school, Tottenham, where the National Front held a meeting in connection with its candidacy in a Greater London council by-election. By 7.30 pm on 3 May about 700 demonstrators, of various ethnic appearance, had gathered outside the school and there had already been some disorder. To assist in preventing a serious confrontation, the police escorted supporters of the National Front from Tottenham Hale underground station to the meeting. As they arrived, bricks and debris were thrown and a number of demonstrators were arrested. The meeting, which began at about 8.00 pm and ended at about 9.30 pm, was attended by some 120 people, of whom about 70 appeared to be National Front supporters. After the meeting, the supporters were escorted back to the Underground station through the hostile crowd, which then dispersed.
During the evening 38 people were arrested and charged with various offences, including the use of threatening behaviour, obstructing the police, possessing 513W an offensive weapon, assaulting the police and criminal damage. Fifteen of those arrested were classified as being of white ethnic appearance; two of dark European ethnic appearance; 19 of black ethnic appearance; and two of Asian ethnic appearance.
Twelve police officers and nine of those arrested were injured, none seriously. A member of the public who was hit by a brick required hospital treatment for a head injury. Three police vehicles were damaged superficially, and a window at a near by public house was broken.
We deplore calculated disorder in all circumstances in which it may occur. The police will continue, in the impartial discharge of their duty, to enforce the law and preserve the Queen's peace.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable for Berkshire concerning incidents of public disorder which occurred in Reading on Wednesday 4 May 1983; and if he will make a statement on the substance of the report with particular regard to the ethnic breakdown of those involved.
§ Mr. MayhewI understand from the chief constable of Thames Valley police that at about 9.00 pm on 4 May police officers on duty at a fair at Hills Meadow, Reading, saw two youths fighting. As the officers attempted to end the fight, they were attacked by a crowd of about a dozen youths, and other officers coming to the assistance of their colleagues had to deal with a further crowd of about 100 youths. Most of the youths in both crowds were of black ethnic appearance; the apparent leader of the first crowd was white. Before order was restored, four officers were injured by stones. Two youths, one of black ethnic appearance, the other of white, were arrested and have been charged with offences under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1936. There was no subsequent reports of disorder at the fair, which has now left the area.
We deplore the attacks on the police. We share the chief constable's concern that the incident should not impair his force's efforts to foster good relations with all groups in the community.