Dispersal order for part of Wisbech after night of violent ‘bikes and broomsticks’ clashes between rival groups

Part of Wisbech now subject to dispersal order to prevent re-occurence of the violence of last night as rival groups clashed. Two people were injured- one was treated at the scene and the other taken to hospital. Picture; ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Video clips show stand-offs in which appears to be a ‘bike and broomsticks’ encounter. Young cyclists are shown weaving across the top end of Norfolk Street before being charged by others wielding broom handles.

Fenland police described it as a “violent disorder” and authorised a 26-hour dispersal order from 8pm last night to 10pm tonight (Thursday).

“A dispersal order has been authorised and encompasses the following area: Church Terrace beyond the church towards Norfolk Street, Onyx Court and West Street,” said a police spokesperson.

Dozens of police officers were called to the town to deal with the outbreak of violence and Church Terrace was closed off for a time to allow scenes of crime officers to look for evidence.

Part of Wisbech now subject to dispersal order to prevent re-occurence of the violence of last night as rival groups clashed. Two people were injured- one was treated at the scene and the other taken to hospital. Picture; ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

“Those who live and work in Norfolk Street should feel safe,” said one resident.

“Groups and individuals just hanging about should be asked to move on or go home -it’s a working street not a bloody hangout.”

Police said the dispersal order has been granted under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

It allows PCSO’s and PC’s to direct persons to leave the area specified in the order, if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that their behaviour has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm, or distress to members of the public.

Part of Wisbech now subject to dispersal order to prevent re-occurence of the violence of last night as rival groups clashed. Two people were injured- one was treated at the scene and the other taken to hospital. Picture; ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

“Failure to comply can result in arrest,” said the police spokesperson.

One woman said: “I was at bingo and came outside to vape. About 30 teenage boys marched past, some on bikes majority of them in dark clothing.

“They were all swearing and chanting. I obviously had no idea what was about to happen but they did seem very intimidating.

“I made a comment about the ‘group of 6’ that Boris put in place to my friend and a couple of the lads turned and looked at me.

Part of Wisbech now subject to dispersal order to prevent re-occurence of the violence of last night as rival groups clashed. Two people were injured- one was treated at the scene and the other taken to hospital. Picture; ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

“I had no idea they were a ‘rival gang’ and I had no idea they were on their way to fight or whatever but they definitely were intimidating dressed in black and swearing. “It was very odd to see. It was the biggest group of lads I’ve seen.”

She added: “It was like a scene from a football film where the rival gangs walk and meet half way to fight it out. “Lads don’t typically walk around in groups that big and that is what struck me as odd.”

Police have appealed for information in relation to the disorder that took place last night: call 101 and quote incident 477 of 16.09.2020

Two people were injured – and one of them taken to hospital – during the clashes.

Part of Wisbech now subject to dispersal order to prevent re-occurence of the violence of last night as rival groups clashed. Two people were injured- one was treated at the scene and the other taken to hospital. Picture; ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

“I can confirm that no persons have been shot nor any firearm has been used during this incident,” said a police spokesperson.

The statement was issued to quell intense social media speculation about the incident,

The spokesperson added: “Two persons have received injuries during this incident, one has been taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at King’s Lynn for treatment.

“Their injuries are not life threatening and no one has died.”

Part of Wisbech now subject to dispersal order to prevent re-occurence of the violence of last night as rival groups clashed. Two people were injured- one was treated at the scene and the other taken to hospital. Picture; ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Part of Wisbech now subject to dispersal order to prevent re-occurence of the violence of last night as rival groups clashed. Two people were injured- one was treated at the scene and the other taken to hospital. Picture; ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Part of Wisbech now subject to dispersal order to prevent re-occurence of the violence of last night as rival groups clashed. Two people were injured- one was treated at the scene and the other taken to hospital. Picture; ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Part of Wisbech now subject to dispersal order to prevent re-occurence of the violence of last night as rival groups clashed. Two people were injured- one was treated at the scene and the other taken to hospital. Picture; ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Part of Wisbech now subject to dispersal order to prevent re-occurence of the violence of last night as rival groups clashed. Two people were injured- one was treated at the scene and the other taken to hospital. Picture; ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Police confirmed one person was taken to hospital after a major disturbance in Wisbech . However police also insisted that no one had been shot or stabbed, contrary to numerous social media posts. Picture; ARCHANT/CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

Police issued a statement to quell social media reports of a stabbing or shooting, Categorically not true they said. Pictures; ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Police issued a statement to quell social media reports of a stabbing or shooting, Categorically not true they said. Pictures; ARCHANT (Image: Archant)