Northumbria Police launch appeal to find far-right thugs

Northumbria Police are looking for seven men in connection with an attack on an anti-fascist meeting at the Tyneside Irish Centre in Newcastle on 22 September.

The centre was attacked before a meeting, organised by the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) began. A gang of around 30 men, with probable links to the far-right English Defence League (EDL), charged at the centre’s door while SWP members were arriving to prepare their meeting room.

The gang forced their way into the club assaulting the manager and one other man. It is understood that the gang set off a fire extinguisher before some of the thugs fled from the police.

Eye-witnesses say that the attack was premeditated and deliberate, targeting a meeting that was advertised publicly as a planning meeting for the SWP’s anti-fascist work.

A spokesman for the far-right EDL told a local newspaper (http://www NULL.chroniclelive NULL.co NULL.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/12/03/appeal-to-find-irish-centre-brawl-suspects-72703-27762324/) that the EDL has no control over the actions of its members even if what they do reflects badly on the EDL.

Since the incident Northumbria Police have arrested nine of the men involved. They have released further CCTV images of a further seven men they wish to question.

Detective Sergeant Rob Ridley, who is in charge of the investigation said:

“It is important that we establish exactly what happened and speak to everyone who was involved with this incident.

“We have received a good response from the public so far and have made three arrests in connection with this incident in the last month, bringing the total number of arrests to nine. I would urge anyone with any information to come forward and help with our inquiries.”

If you recognise any of the men in the CCTV images (http://www NULL.chroniclelive NULL.co NULL.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/12/03/appeal-to-find-irish-centre-brawl-suspects-72703-27762324/) or if you have further information please call Call Northumbria Police on 0345 604 3043 ext 69191 and ask for Det Sgt Rob Ridley at Market Street CID.

Tags: CCTV, EDL, English Defence League, Newcastle, Northumbria Police, Rob Ridley, Socialist Workers Party, SWP, Tyneside, Tyneside Irish Centre