One of Leamington's busiest public spaces was closed off by police after violence erupted among about 100 so called 'sports fans' yesterday morning. Police cordoned off the Riverside Walk in Victoria Park as violence broke out among rival supporters, who were in Leamington for what is considered by many to be the annual 'world cup' of women's bowling.Eyewitnesses said officers in riot gear and with police dogs forced the fans into the Royal Leamington Spa Bowling Club Tea Rooms where they were contained in a classic 'pressure kettle' operation similar to that used by the Metropolitan Police last year's G20 protests in the city of London.
Several hours later the police were seen to escort some supporters to the railway station where further confrontation occurred outside the Pumpkin Cafe on platform one, a so called 'coffee shop', known by local residents as a place where intoxicating stimulants and 'specialist magazines' have been freely available over the counter at all hours of the day and night.
One person has not been arrested in connection with the incident.
Eyewitness Sandra Binstead, who works in a building some distance from the incident, said she was not allowed to leave the premises for about two hours. She said the first she knew of the trouble was at about 1130 BST when she heard the sound of breaking glass and several police helicopters overhead. Asked if she was frightened, she said: "I was more concerned in case anyone hadn't been unnecessarily injured by the police."
Detective Superintendent Ceestreamer from Warwickshire Police, says hooliganism is not just a problem for women's bowls.
"Reports from all over the country show the extent of the opportunistic and violent problem that we still face ... the activities of this kind of person can be seen on beaches, in bed and breakfast accommodation and outside English country pubs throughout the summer months".
"But women's bowls, with its inherent tribalism, passions and loyalties has always been a beacon for such boorish behaviour, and this police force is committed to eradicating it whenever and wheresoever it may surface" he said.
Mobile phone footage of the disturbance has recently appeared on youtube, and Chief Inspector Huge Pension-Pott of Warwickshire Police has appealed for anyone who recognises the ringleaders to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, as otherwise the chances of securing any conviction are laughably small.
"... the public can be reassured by the fact that keeping the police occupied elsewhere will make Leamington a safer place on match days," he added.
There are also reports of a stand off between the international athletes competing in the bowls championships and local residents whose parking places were seized by parking wardens to accommodate the competitors. One resident was heard to complain that because of 'these old biddies' she now had to load all her shopping into her child's pushchair, and wheel it almost 15 yards around the corner from her Ocado delivery to her front door. And that her dog, a pedigree Cairn Terrier no less, now had to walk al the way from Victoria Street to Florence Park to have a dump where as usually it use the lawn opposite The Cricketers pub. It is likely that questions will be asked in the coffee shops of Leamington, and possibly Milverton too.
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