Saturday, April 14, 2007

IS THIS SUNNI vs SHIA VIOLENCE IN THE UK?

Police have launched an investigation after violent clashes involving up to 200 people outside a mosque.
Crowds gathered outside the Central Mosque in the Uxbridge area of Burton in Staffordshire on Monday evening.
The clashes, which lasted five hours, followed tensions among people who use the mosque and is the second such incident in two years, police said.
Dozens of officers were needed to deal with the trouble which saw punches thrown and a number of people injured.
Staffordshire Police said order was maintained overnight due to the presence of police officers in the area.
The spokesman added that they expect to make some arrests after examining the evidence.
Chief Supt Keith Smy said: "I am appalled that this is the second time in two years this on going dispute within the community has led to violence erupting on the streets of Burton.
"It is a matter of great regret that many people lost control and seemed not prepared to use the well understood methods of resolving issues within their community but instead were prepared to resort to threats and violence.
"I want to make it clear that police treat this incident of public disorder extremely seriously and we will be examining all the evidence available. I expect arrests to be made on the evidence we already have.
"Finally, I would appeal to the whole community for calm and good sense. I also ask that everyone in the community supports my officers during their investigations to ensure this does not happen again."

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