The unrest in the East Leicester area was reported to police by numerous members of the public.
Videos have emerged online which appear to show groups of people attempting to attack each other and throwing bottles.
In a video update posted to Leicestershire Police’s website at 9pm last night, officers confirmed that they had deployed people to take control of the situation.
Police added that there were additional officers en route and community leaders on the ground and urged people not to get involved and avoid the area, calling for calm.
Dispersal powers and stop search powers were authorised, allowing officers to stop and search anyone where they believe that serious violence might take place.
The unrest in the East Leicester area was reported to police by numerous members of the public. In a video update posted to Leicestershire Police’s website at 9pm last night, officers confirmed that they had deployed people to take control of the situation (stock image)
The dispersal order, in place until 6am, also gives police powers to ask people to leave a certain location and not return for 48 hours.
Additionally, it authorises officers to return those under 16 to their homes.
Rumours that a mosque in the city was earlier attacked have been quashed by police.
They wrote on Twitter: ‘We’ve seen reports on social media that a mosque is being attacked. Officers on the ground have confirmed this is not true. Only share information on social media that you know to be true.’
The current unrest has occurred after earlier disorder in the city in late August.
A fight had broken out in the Belgrave area of Leicester following the Asia Cup Cricket match between India and Pakistan which led to eight arrests.
More unrest broke out in the days afterwards between members of the Hindu and Islamic communities.
The police then launched an operation and made a further 19 arrests.
The dispersal order, in place until 6am, also gives police powers to ask people to leave a certain location and not return for 48 hours (stock image)
Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon previously called for calm and said: ‘I continue to ask you, our communities, to work with us and each other as we move into the weekend to help us with reducing concerns and tensions and with keeping our community safe. The incidents we have seen could have had far more serious consequences and we need to continue working together to ensure we bring this to an end.
‘This includes not circulating speculation on social media but instead working with us to ensure incidents are reported and proper checks and enquiries are carried out. We saw this week in relation to an alleged incident in Richmond Way, Leicester, which was later confirmed not to have happened, the significant distress and implications which posting or sharing misinformation can cause.
‘Thank you for your continued support as we move forward. We have had some really positive meetings with members of the community who have reached out to us and I look forward to more of these in the future. As I have said previously, working together we have made a difference and I know that together we can ensure this continues.’