POLICE STATION ATTACKED

A POLICE STATION IN GREAT YARMOUTH

a police station was attacked by a mob of around 100 people

Fifteen people have been arrested after a police station was attacked by a mob of around 100 people who hurled beer and wine bottles at the building. Police said the arrests related to violent disorder, possession of drugs and taking a vehicle without consent. Officers seized 44 vehicles as part of the investigation. The siege in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, took place after three people had been arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle which had sound equipment on board, Norfolk Police said. The force is also investigating a burglary at the Harfreys Industrial Estate in the town, where an "unlicensed musical event" was being monitored by police. Chief Superintendent Bob Scully said the arrested trio were not involved in the "inexcusable" attack at the station, but officers were linking the initial arrests with the incident. Two police vehicles were damaged by the mob and officers narrowly escaped serious injuries. Police declared the attack a "major incident". More than 100 officers from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire took part in the operation. Chief Supt Scully said: "What occurred was entirely unacceptable - large-scale anti-social behaviour carried out by a large group of people - and it is inexcusable. This behaviour and activity simply won't be tolerated." He warned people to stay away from the industrial estate, which he said was a crime scene. "We are taking this matter extremely seriously and are looking to bring this situation to a swift conclusion," he said. An angry mob laid siege to a police station, demanding the release of three men being held inside. Around 100 men and women surrounded the building for an hour and hurled missiles, including cans and bottles, at officers. One policeman was injured when a full can hit him in the face and another had a broken arm. Police in riot gear from three counties were summoned to what was described as "major incident" in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, shortly after midnight. The crowd had gathered after the three men were arrested on suspicion of supplying sound equipment for an illegal rave. Most eventually drifted away to the rave on the Harfrey industrial estate nearby. The party was broken up hours later by officers wearing protective gear. A senior police officer has attacked the mob's "shameful" behaviour and vowed to track down those involved. Chief Superintendent-Bob Scully added: "What occurred was entirely unaccceptable. It was large scale anti-social behaviour by a large group of people. "Officers dealing with the incident risked serious injury." The three men were arrested just before midnight on Saturday after running away from officers when their van was stopped. Sound equipment was found in the vehicle which is believed to have been on its way to the rave at a heating elements factory. Just a handful of officers were on duty when the angry protesters turned up shortly after at the police station, which is near dozens of homes. Officers were drafted in from across Norfolk as well as Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. They were forced to take cover from the missiles as they tried to hold the crowd back. A total of 12 people were arrested for offences including violent disorder and possession of drugs. Vehicles were also seized. POLICE STATION ATTACKED19 Aug 2007