‘A 32-year-old man has been arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence after reports of racist, abusive behaviour at the Test match in Birmingham’
‘A 32-year-old man has been arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence after reports of racist, abusive behaviour at the Test match in Birmingham’
Birmingham Police have arrested a person for “racially aggravated public order offence”, following allegations of racist abuse geared toward Indian followers in the course of the rescheduled fifth Test between India and England at Edgbaston.
The man, who’s in his early 30s, has been taken into custody for questioning.
“A 32-year-old man has been arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence after reports of racist, abusive behaviour at the Test match in Birmingham on Monday. He remains in custody for questioning,” Birmingham Police tweeted on Friday.
Several Indian followers had taken to Twitter to report the racist behaviour they endured in the course of the fourth day’s play on Monday evening. They had claimed that some British followers hurled racial taunts at them.
England gained the Test by seven wickets on Tuesday.
Criminal investigation launched
“We’ve launched a criminal investigation into reports of racist, abusive behaviour at the Test match in Birmingham,” a West Midlands Police spokesperson instructed Sky Sports News. “We’re liaising with Edgbaston officials to understand what’s happened and would encourage anyone who heard any racist language or gestures, or has video footage that could help, to get in touch.
“We’re conscious of photos circulating on social media displaying an alleged offender. We’re making enquiries to determine the particular person and would urge him to come back ahead and communicate to us.”
In a slew of measures, Warwickshire County Cricket Club has decided to deploy “undercover soccer crowd-style spotters” in the stadium at Edgbaston, which will also host the second T20I between India and England on Saturday, to listen and report abusive behaviour.
Source: www.thehindu.com