• Home /
• Statewatch Database /
• No motive for Chapeltown and Walsall disorders, say police

No motive for Chapeltown and Walsall disorders, say police

01 January 1991

No motive for Chapeltown and Walsall disorders, say police

According to the Daily Mail (7.11.90), two police officers on foot
patrol in the Red Light district of Chapeltown, Leeds, were confronted
`by a merciless gang of 30 teenagers' who stabbed one of the officers
and left him for dead. The other officer escaped and radioed for help.
The Mail offers no explanation as to why the incident occurred but
concludes that `Although PC Elgie is a white officer operating in a
mainly black neighbourhood police say there was no evidence the attack
was racially motivated'. (Daily Mail 7.11.90)
And police offered no explanation for three nights of disorder
which broke out on a council housing estate in the Coalpool district of
Walsall. Apparently the disturbances began on a Friday night when a
police car was attacked and damaged. Then, on Saturday night, 20 youths
stoned police and a fire engine after a `suspected drink driver' was
stopped.
According to the Times (30.10.90) only 50 youths were involved in
the confrontation. Police reinforcements in riot gear were stoned when
they moved into the area and a police helicopter was deployed. Chief
Superintendent David Baker said that the disorder broke out in a
difficult area to police and that criminal charges would soon be brought
against people. The West Midlands Fire Service said that they were
shocked at the level of anger displayed at them.
$ Police, Public order, police operations

IRR Police-Media Bulletin, no 65. Institute of Race Relations, 2-6 Leeke
Street, London WC1X 9HS