FEARS of increasing violence on the streets of Liskeard have been heightened, following a public order incident in the town at the weekend which left five police officers hurt and led to six arrests – and a fight in Fore Street on Wednesday afternoon.

The public disorder broke out at 2.20am on The Parade, at the junction of Greenbank Road with Pike Street, on Sunday. Police say around 30-35 people were involved. Seven police officers were initially called to the incident, but another seven had to be summoned from other stations.

Various charges

Five of the 14 police officers are reported to have received minor injuries, and six local people were arrested - two men and four women. They were taken to Charles Cross police station, Plymouth, for various charges, ranging from assault to criminal damage.

A number of people from Liskeard are due to appear at Bodmin magistrates' court today. They will face charges including assault with intent to resist arrest, a public order offence, obstructing a police officer, and criminal damage.

Police were also called to Liskeard's Fore Street on Wednesday afternoon around 2.30pm after a fight broke out between a number of young males, white and Asian.

One of those involved was injured after being pushed into the gift shop window of The Warehouse, which then broke. An ambulance was called.

Four men, wanted for questioning, left the scene by car - the number of which was taken by a young girl, of primary school age, who saw what had happened.

Fracas

A police spokesman said they were later traced to the Hannafore area of West Looe where they were arrested. He added it has not yet been established whether the fracas was racially motivated, but this would be a factor during current on-going enquiries.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Sgt Dave Cartwright or PC Steve Coombes at Liskeard police station on 08705 777 444, or call Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111.

Both fights occurred in the centre of Liskeard, which is now covered by recently-installed security cameras.

The matter of how effective CCTV is in Liskeard was raised at the Town Forum meeting last month. The chairman, Nick Mallard, said the police had taken several tapes away for viewing, which had given them pointers to make arrests. Community representative, Jane Pascoe, pointed out there had then been four cases of vandalism since CCTV coverage began in the town.