Latest news with #GraemeBarr
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Yahoo
100 arrests after Sunderland riots as police 'remain absolutely committed' to tracking down remaining offenders
Northumbria Police continues its search for 19 offenders linked to riots in Sunderland last August, with 100 arrests and 39 convictions made relating to the ugly violence this time last year. Serious and sustained disorder occurred across the country in the days following the horrific murders of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, in Southport, Merseyside. Six months ago, Axel Rudakubana - who was 17 years old at the time - was jailed for life and must serve a minimum of 52 years for the sadistic killings and the attempted murder of 10 others. Riots and order were fuelled by online misinformation about the attacker's identity. On Monday, the National Police Chiefs' Council has released pictures of a number of people suspected being involved in "some of the most serious disorder" in Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Bristol, Bolton and Southport. There are 19 suspects apiece in Sunderland and Middlesbrough, four in Bolton, six in Bristol, and nine in Southport. READ MORE: Storm Floris LIVE: Metro delays, power cuts and trees come down in high winds READ MORE: Warning signs to be installed at Northumberland dogging hotspot Northumbria Police has so far secured 39 convictions from 100 arrests, and hopes to identify further suspects from the pictures released today. Det Ch Inspr Graeme Barr of Northumbria Police's Major Investigation Team (MIT) said: "Following the disgraceful disorder in Sunderland last August, we immediately launched a full investigation to identify all of those responsible. To date, more than 100 arrests have been made with 39 people convicted and sentenced for their parts and a total of 60 years of prison time handed out. "Let us be clear that we remain absolutely committed to ensuring that all of those who took part in criminality that day are brought to justice. Our work to trace all individuals remains ongoing and we'd ask that anyone with information which could identify any of the 19 people whose images have been released this week to contact us." The latest available national statistics show that 1,876 people have been arrested, with 1,110 charged from last year's disorder. 820 people have been convicted for their roles in the disorder, with the CPS achieving a conviction rate of 95%. ACC Ian Drummond-Smith is the National Police Chiefs' Council investigation lead for Operation Navette, which was set up in the wake of last summer's violence. He said: "The serious violence we witnessed in communities across the country last summer was completely unacceptable. "In the face of this, officers responded bravely to protect the public and swiftly launched investigations to identify those involved, with hundreds already apprehended and brought before the courts. This effort, supported by the Crown Prosecution Service and other criminal justice partners, was undoubtedly instrumental in bringing an end to the disorder and restoring peace to our towns and cities. "Over the past year investigators have continued to diligently review footage and other evidence relating to the disorder and we will continue our efforts to bring those involved to justice. We are releasing images of a number of suspects involved in some of the most serious disorder across several force areas, and I would urge members of the public to support us by getting in touch if they have any information relating to the identities of these individuals." There have been localised protests this summer, some of which have escalated into public disorder, such as in Epping where several people have been charged. Closer to home, one person is set to appear in court after being drunk and disorderly at a protest outside an asylum hotel in Newcastle at the weekend. ACC Drummond-Smith added: "While policing has always facilitated peaceful protest, where this escalates to criminality and public disorder we will continue to respond robustly and conduct a thorough investigation to ensure those responsible face justice for their actions. Following the events of last summer, we reviewed our national and regional processes, which has further enhanced our ability to respond and investigate offences in a timely and effective manner." Members of the public can view the images that have been released and supply information via the special crime reporting portal at Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online by searching 'Crimestoppers UK'.
BBC News
04-03-2025
- BBC News
Online portal set up to identify Sunderland riot suspects
A new public database has been launched by police, to help track down and identify those involved in last year's have uploaded images of dozens of people suspected of committing serious disorder offences in Sunderland, in the hope members of the public will share details about the people they Police said it had collected 10,000 hours of CCTV footage from 2 August 2024, which the force had subsequently scoured to find suspects with their faces Ch Insp Graeme Barr said about 1,000 people had arrived in the city during the riots, of whom about 150 committed serious disorder offences. "The challenge was to find those who had their faces covered while they were committing those offences, and then find them elsewhere in the footage with their faces uncovered," he said."We are approaching 100 arrests for the disorder in Sunderland, and we think we've probably got between 50 and 60 more people who we need to identify and then go out and arrest." The police announced the launch of the database on BBC One's lists pictures of suspects taken from CCTV footage during the riots, in areas including Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Southport and suspect has been given their own page, and members of the public who recognise them can provide details to the police using adjoining text Ch Insp Barr said the force was particularly interested in identifying one man who was seen throwing fire extinguishers at police officers and suspect is described as well-built, with a brown beard and a sleeve tattoo on his left Ch Insp Barr said all those who had been charged by the police pleaded guilty before they stood trial."We are just approaching 50 years in total of sentences handed out so far," he said. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
