§ 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 took place outside the Odeon cinema, Hammersmith, London early on Sunday 8 January; 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 of Police of the Metropolis tells me that at about 1 am on 8 January a fight broke out inside the Hammersmith Odeon at a private party for 300 members of the staff and their families. Three police officers arrived quickly, and called for reinforcements; some 50 officers arrived and dealt with the disturbance. A number of the people concerned tried to continue fighting in the street. Nine police officers and three other people were injured. Three of the police officers were taken to hospital; none of the injuries was serious. Twenty-four people were arrested and charged with a range of offences including unlawful wounding, assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty, obstructing an officer, criminal damage, the use of threatening behaviour and being drunk and disorderly. All those arrested were white. The cases are sub judice.