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Pc and two others hurt in Sikh cultural centre protest | Pc and two others hurt in Sikh cultural centre protest |
(about 21 hours later) | |
A police officer and two other people suffered head injuries during a protest outside a Sikh-run community centre. | |
About 200 people gathered at the Sikh Cultural Centre in Dudley, West Midlands, to demonstrate over allegations that meat and alcohol were being served on the premises. | About 200 people gathered at the Sikh Cultural Centre in Dudley, West Midlands, to demonstrate over allegations that meat and alcohol were being served on the premises. |
Violence erupted at about 1245 BST on Saturday after some of the protesters forced their way into the building. | |
The three injured people are in a stable condition in hospital. | The three injured people are in a stable condition in hospital. |
'Building vandalised' | 'Building vandalised' |
West Midlands police have not commented on the nature of the injuries but said some protesters were throwing missiles at officers. | |
A second police officer received minor dental injuries. | A second police officer received minor dental injuries. |
A 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of violent disorder was later released on police bail bending further inquiries. | A 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of violent disorder was later released on police bail bending further inquiries. |
The force said the demonstrators had spent about five hours inside the centre, adding that "significant damage" was caused. | |
Ch Insp Deb Doyle said: "What started as a peaceful protest soon turned to violence when a minority of people started throwing missiles at officers and then forced their way inside the centre. | Ch Insp Deb Doyle said: "What started as a peaceful protest soon turned to violence when a minority of people started throwing missiles at officers and then forced their way inside the centre. |
"Once inside they have vandalised the building and refused to leave until the centre managers agreed to ban the supply of meat and alcohol on the premises. | "Once inside they have vandalised the building and refused to leave until the centre managers agreed to ban the supply of meat and alcohol on the premises. |
"I would urge those responsible for the violence to hand themselves in to their local police station immediately or face officers arresting them at home in the very near future." | "I would urge those responsible for the violence to hand themselves in to their local police station immediately or face officers arresting them at home in the very near future." |
No alcohol or meat is permitted in property belonging to Sikh places of worship. | No alcohol or meat is permitted in property belonging to Sikh places of worship. |
Kalvinder Bains, from Gurdwara Guru Nanak Singh Sabha, which is next door to the centre, said the incident was "really a disgrace" and "absolutely appalling". | |
She said: "They showed no dignity or respect to any of our older Asian Sikh community that have lived here for perhaps 50 years or more. | |
"What this group is protesting against is that this community centre has parties whereby they serve food and alcohol. | |
"But a majority of the trustees are saying that at present there is no links between the temple and the community centre and it's a separate organisation." | |
Roads around the centre in Swancote Road were closed to allow emergency services access to the site. | |
Police said CCTV footage had been seized from the site. |