POLICE BATTLE WITH STRIKERS.

Shannon News, 2 October 1923, Page 3

POLICE BATTLE WITH STRIKERS.

100 CASUALITIES. As a result of a night of rioting, following a rumour that negotiations had broken down in a local colliery dispute which effects 2500 men, Whitehaven, Cumberland, looked like a town that had been bombarded (says the London Daily Mail). Following the colliery dispute conference a big crowd gathered near the colliery company’s .offices which were guarded by a police' cordon. As darkness fell there was an ominous charge. Then the rougher sections joined forces and made an organised attack on the police. In side streets youths dug up cobble stones and supplied this ammunition to the men.

In a pitched battle the police were compelled to retaliate both with stones and batons.

One constable, P.C. Illingsworth, had a leg broken through being struck by what wa> described as a boulder. Fifty police had to be attended by a doctor. Bleeding heads were numerous among the rioters. When day broke the streets were practically cleared, but on alii sides was damaged and disfigured property. The whole of the police station, including the superintendent’s private house/ resembled a shell-riddled building in a battle area. The county court offices opposite were badly damaged, and lower down the street was the wrecked house one of the pit managers. A raid .was made on the fire station, which adjoins the police station. Petrol was poured on doors and set alight, but a number of policemen put the flames out.'

Between two and three o’clock in the morning gangs of men started on an expedition of looting and destruction . A boot dealer lost many pairs of boots and shoes, tobacconists’ windows were cleared of stock, confectioners lost many boxes of chocolates, and one jeweller was robbed of £2OO worth of goods. It is estimated that 100. persons received injuries in addition to the policemen.

Police reinforcements were sent from Lancashire, Yorkshire, Northumberland and Durham.