Fifteen Rotherham men arrested over town centre violence

NINETEEN men - including 15 from Rotherham - have been arrested for violent disorder following a Rotherham town centre demonstration.

Trouble broke out on Wellgate after the Britain First rally on September 5, with bottles and bricks thrown and some injuries reported.

Police carried out warrants today and yesterday. Fifteen of the men arrested are from Rotherham, with the rest from West Yorkshire.

Rotherham district commander Chief Supt Jason Harwin said: “A team of officers have worked tirelessly on this investigation, scouring CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses to gather as much information as we can about this incident.

“The disorder shocked the local community and it is lucky that nobody was seriously injured.”

Up to nine officers have been working on the operation, which followed the 14th protest in Rotherham in three years.

The men arrested this week have been released on bail pending further consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, police said.

Chief Supt Harwin added: “Our work will continue to identify those involved in the disorder. I urge anyone who might hold information about the incident to come forward.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident 230 of September 5 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.