Police reveal 13 men have now been arrested over violence linked to rival groups in Sunderland

Police say 13 men have now been arrested following a series of retaliatory attacks between rival gangs in Sunderland.
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Northumbria Police detectives are continuing to investigate a spate of violent incidents committed in Sunderland earlier this month, including a stabbing, a wounding and an incident involving machetes.

The disorder, which occurred in the north of the city, involved groups of men carrying weapons and was believed to be part of a tit-for-tat dispute.

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The violence saw armed police deployed to various addresses over a 48-hour period – and sparked a coordinated crackdown as officers executed night-time raids to detain various suspects.

Police on the scene of the incident in Emsworth Road in Carley Hill, Sunderland.Police on the scene of the incident in Emsworth Road in Carley Hill, Sunderland.
Police on the scene of the incident in Emsworth Road in Carley Hill, Sunderland.

Detective Chief Inspector Sean Mcguigan, of Northumbria Police, said: “The violent incidents that we saw a fortnight ago were absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“They were committed in broad daylight, with two rival groups who were known to each other involved in retaliatory attacks that would have terrified any members of the community nearby.

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“Ever since, a full investigation has been launched into the disorder and we have so far arrested 13 men in connection with the disorder.

Police were called to Rochdale Way in Red House after a man was injured in a suspected attack.Police were called to Rochdale Way in Red House after a man was injured in a suspected attack.
Police were called to Rochdale Way in Red House after a man was injured in a suspected attack.

“We are committed to doing all we can to detect and disrupt serious and violent crime under the banner of Operation Sentinel – and detectives are continuing to follow various lines of enquiry as part of this significant investigation.

“I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the community who’ve played an integral role so far – and would ask anybody who believes they have information that can assist us, who has yet to come forward, to do so.

“It may prove to be the key detail that ensures those responsible are rightly brought to justice.”

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Police on Redhill Road as investigations were launched into a suspected assault inside a house in Rochdale Way in Red House.Police on Redhill Road as investigations were launched into a suspected assault inside a house in Rochdale Way in Red House.
Police on Redhill Road as investigations were launched into a suspected assault inside a house in Rochdale Way in Red House.

A 31-year-old man was found with non-life threatening injuries consistent with a stabbing and was taken to hospital.

Officers carried out a search of an address where they located a number of machetes.

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As part of those discoveries, police searched a string of addresses across the city and located further weapons that have been seized.

The man was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries to his arm and head consistent with having been caused by a bladed article.

Officers are treating all the incidents as linked and an investigation is ongoing.

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So far, a total of 13 men have been arrested in connection with the disorder and they have all been released either on police bail or under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20210712-0847.

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