Five arrests after violent incident near Waterport Roundabout

Police have arrested at least five people following a violent incident next to the Bahia Bar near the Waterport Roundabout.

Video of the incident circulated widely on social media showed a man being knocked down by a vehicle during the disturbance.

“There were assaults, violent disorder and cars were being driven in an extremely dangerous manner,” the Royal Gibraltar Police said in a statement.

“Officers were immediately deployed to the scene and two individuals required hospital attention.”

“Within an hour of the start of the incident, at least five arrests had been made.”

The RGP is investigating the incident and said it was grateful for the video evidence which has already been made available to officers.

It also made an appeal for further evidence.

“We would be grateful for any additional video/photographic material to be forwarded to the RGP via our website www.police.gi,” the statement said.

“Similarly we would welcome any statements from eye witnesses of the incident and they should contact the duty officer at New Mole House Police Station on 20072500.”

The Commissioner of Police, Richard Ullger, reassured the community that as soon as the incident was reported to police, the Gold Commander, Superintendent Romero, took strategic command of the police response.

He added that this disorder in Gibraltar will not be tolerated and that he will use all the resources available to bring those responsible to justice.

'UNACCEPTABLE'

The incident drew reactions from the Gibraltar Government and the GSD.

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said the violeny scenes witnessed on Saturday were "unacceptable".

"I will be convening a meeting of the Gibraltar Contingency Council to seek assurances about ensuring the safety & security of our streets and our people," Mr Picardo said, adding that the small group of people involved in the incident "won't change the character of our community.

"To stop these incidents we must support the police."

The Chief Minister urged anyone with information relating to the incident to assist the RGP with its inquiries.

The GSD also condemned the incident on Saturday and said it fully supported the RGP in its investigative and enforcement actions.

“The scenes of disorder, violence and recklessness off the Waterport roundabout earlier [on Saturday] evening are shocking and unacceptable," said the Leader of the Opposition, Keith Azopardi.

"The police are to be supported and congratulated in cracking down on these issues."

"This is not the Gibraltar we want for our children & families."

Mr Azopardi said people across the community would have been shocked by the scenes on Saturday.

"Ordinary people, children included, were exposed to danger and fear in a major public highway during the day," he said.

"People will have visualised how they or their families could have been caught up in that violence and will find it simply unacceptable that this sort of behaviour should be going on on our streets."