UK Police Appeal For Calm As India-Pakistan Post-Match Disorder Spills Over

The UK police are calling for calm after clashes between fans following an India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket match at the end of last month spilled over into “serious disorder” on Saturday and the early hours of Sunday in the city of Leicester in eastern England. Reports circulating on social media claimed the spark this weekend was a protest march, with footage showing police attempting to hold back two sets of crowds as objects such as glass bottles were thrown, and some people could be seen carrying sticks and batons.

"We have had numerous reports of an outbreak of disorder in parts of the east Leicester area of the city,” Leicestershire Police temporary chief constable Rob Nixon said in a Twitter video.

“We have got officers there, we are taking control of the situation, there are additional officers en route and dispersal powers, stop search powers, have been authorised. Please do not get involved. We are calling for calm," he said.

The local police force said that its officers attended in large numbers as dispersal and stop and search powers were authorised in an effort at “restoring calm” to the area. A large number of people were searched and two men remain in custody – one on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder and another on suspicion of possession of a bladed article.

“Several incidents of violence and damage have been reported to the police and are being investigated. We are aware of a video circulating showing a man pulling down a flag outside a religious building on Melton Road, Leicester. This appears to have taken place while police officers were dealing with public disorder in the area. The incident will be investigated,” Leicestershire Police said in a statement.

“We are continuing to call