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| Tensions 'getting worse' year after 'worst riots ever seen' | Tensions 'getting worse' year after 'worst riots ever seen' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Mr Ntavuka said tensions reached a "boiling point" last year | Mr Ntavuka said tensions reached a "boiling point" last year |
| Tensions are "getting worse" a year after violent disorder spread across a city, an expert has said. | Tensions are "getting worse" a year after violent disorder spread across a city, an expert has said. |
| On 5 August 2024, a peaceful protest was "hijacked" in Plymouth by angry gangs who hurled bricks and bottles at crowds and officers. After the incident, 27 people were arrested and 24 people convicted - with the total number of combined sentences reaching 36 years. | |
| Acting Supt Tom Cunningham, from Devon and Cornwall Police, described it as the "worst ever" disorder he has seen in his 28 years of policing. | Acting Supt Tom Cunningham, from Devon and Cornwall Police, described it as the "worst ever" disorder he has seen in his 28 years of policing. |
| Meanwhile, Regis Ntavuka, from the Plymouth & Devon racial equality council, said things are getting worse once again as propaganda continues to spread. | Meanwhile, Regis Ntavuka, from the Plymouth & Devon racial equality council, said things are getting worse once again as propaganda continues to spread. |
| Dozens of people were arrested following last year's disorder | Dozens of people were arrested following last year's disorder |
| Remembering 2024's disorder, Mr Ntavuka said there was a "difference on the day". | Remembering 2024's disorder, Mr Ntavuka said there was a "difference on the day". |
| "[There was] a different energy, even just walking through town people were making sure I got home safe - even the bus drivers stopped me to offer a lift. | "[There was] a different energy, even just walking through town people were making sure I got home safe - even the bus drivers stopped me to offer a lift. |
| "It was a boiling point, it was always going to happen – it was just a case of when," he said. | "It was a boiling point, it was always going to happen – it was just a case of when," he said. |
| He is now pushing harder than ever to reconnect the community. | He is now pushing harder than ever to reconnect the community. |
| "We feel that it is more necessary than ever now," he said. | "We feel that it is more necessary than ever now," he said. |
| Reflecting on the potential of more disruption, he added: "In terms of the overall picture, I think it's getting worse. | Reflecting on the potential of more disruption, he added: "In terms of the overall picture, I think it's getting worse. |
| "I don't think we should look at it as these people doing the riots are mindless idiots because propaganda can affect anyone. | "I don't think we should look at it as these people doing the riots are mindless idiots because propaganda can affect anyone. |
| "The power of language and propaganda is incredible," he said. | "The power of language and propaganda is incredible," he said. |
| Supt Cunningham said he was "really proud" of how his officers dealt with the disorder | Supt Cunningham said he was "really proud" of how his officers dealt with the disorder |
| Supt Cunningham said last year's disorder broke out after two groups that wanted to peacefully protest came together, but unfortunately the event was "hijacked". | Supt Cunningham said last year's disorder broke out after two groups that wanted to peacefully protest came together, but unfortunately the event was "hijacked". |
| "We will happily facilitate peaceful protests – however what we will not tolerate is people pushing that into violent disorder as we saw in Plymouth last year," he said. | "We will happily facilitate peaceful protests – however what we will not tolerate is people pushing that into violent disorder as we saw in Plymouth last year," he said. |
| Despite the disorder, he was "really proud" of the way his officers dealt with the incident. | Despite the disorder, he was "really proud" of the way his officers dealt with the incident. |
| "They had bottles, bricks and everything else thrown at them on the night, but they brought back order to that disorder," he said. | "They had bottles, bricks and everything else thrown at them on the night, but they brought back order to that disorder," he said. |
| Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. |