Pouring through the gates, these men are part of a mob of religious zealots who went on the rampage in protest at the sale of meat and alcohol in a Sikh community centre.
The CCTV image has been released by police in an attempt to bring to justice the vandals who stormed the building and wrecked the kitchens.
The trouble erupted after managers at the centre agreed to serve alcohol and meat at a private party that night, but practising Sikhs heard about the plan and organised a demonstration.
The protest, in Dudley, West Midlands, is believed to have been attended by members of the UK Sangat organisation. The hardline movement campaigns to prevent the consumption of meat and alcohol, and the breaking of other Sikh rules, on holy land.
After a peaceful start, the protest turned violent and police were unable to hold back the crowd.
In the newly released CCTV images, protesters can be seen forcing their way through a cordon of police officers and storming through the centre gates.
One image shows an angry rioter with a chair raised above his head, as other protesters rampage through the centre causing devastation.
Police from all over the West Midlands were drafted in to calm the situation and a police helicopter monitored the violent scenes on May 29 this year, while roads around the building were closed for five hours to allow emergency services access to the site.
Specialist officers were dispatched to the scene to help negotiations between the militant Sikhs and under-siege staff. But the mob’s numbers quickly spiralled.
One policeman was left with head injuries and another suffered dental injuries after the protesters began pelting officers with bricks, bottles and missiles.
After forcing their way into the centre, they barricaded themselves inside and trashed it, causing ‘significant damage’.
A tense five-hour stand-off followed which ended only after managers at the Sikh Cultural Centre gave in to the protesters’ demands and cancelled the sale of meat and alcohol.
‘The centre owners have insulted the Sikh faith and violated Sikh Maryada [code of conduct] by allowing a party to take place at the Sikh Cultural Centre.’
Inspector Richard Jones, from Dudley Police, said: ‘What started as a peaceful protest soon turned to violence when a minority of people started throwing missiles at officers and then forced their way inside the centre.
Significant damage was caused to the premises and our investigation into what happened on the day continues.
‘Detectives have trawled through CCTV from the site and the vicinity as part of the inquiry and we now ask for help in identifying some of those people we would now like to speak to. We urge anyone with information to assist with identification to come forward and help us at their earliest convenience.’
The CCTV image has been released by police in an attempt to bring to justice the vandals who stormed the building and wrecked the kitchens.
The trouble erupted after managers at the centre agreed to serve alcohol and meat at a private party that night, but practising Sikhs heard about the plan and organised a demonstration.
Caught on CCTV: Rioters burst through the gates of the Sikh Cultural centre in Swancote Road, Dudley, as the peaceful protest turns violent. They managed to smash through a police cordon trying to protect the centre
Crazed: A protestor raises a chair over his head as he prepares to smash up the contents of the centre. Police are appealing for information to identify the perpetrators
THE SIKH RELIGION
The word 'Sikh' means 'disciple' in the Punjabi language.
A gurdwara, which translates as 'Gateway to the Guru', is a place of worship.
The Sikh code, known as Rehat Maryada, forbids the use of alcohol and intoxicants or the consumption of meat killed in a ritualistic way.
Some believe eating any meat is forbidden and that only vegetarian food is allowed to be served in a gurdwara.
Sikhs believe in the equality of humankind and one supreme God (Ik Onkar).
The founder of the Sikh religion was Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469.
A gurdwara, which translates as 'Gateway to the Guru', is a place of worship.
The Sikh code, known as Rehat Maryada, forbids the use of alcohol and intoxicants or the consumption of meat killed in a ritualistic way.
Some believe eating any meat is forbidden and that only vegetarian food is allowed to be served in a gurdwara.
Sikhs believe in the equality of humankind and one supreme God (Ik Onkar).
The founder of the Sikh religion was Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469.
After a peaceful start, the protest turned violent and police were unable to hold back the crowd.
In the newly released CCTV images, protesters can be seen forcing their way through a cordon of police officers and storming through the centre gates.
One image shows an angry rioter with a chair raised above his head, as other protesters rampage through the centre causing devastation.
Police from all over the West Midlands were drafted in to calm the situation and a police helicopter monitored the violent scenes on May 29 this year, while roads around the building were closed for five hours to allow emergency services access to the site.
Specialist officers were dispatched to the scene to help negotiations between the militant Sikhs and under-siege staff. But the mob’s numbers quickly spiralled.
One policeman was left with head injuries and another suffered dental injuries after the protesters began pelting officers with bricks, bottles and missiles.
After forcing their way into the centre, they barricaded themselves inside and trashed it, causing ‘significant damage’.
A tense five-hour stand-off followed which ended only after managers at the Sikh Cultural Centre gave in to the protesters’ demands and cancelled the sale of meat and alcohol.
‘The centre owners have insulted the Sikh faith and violated Sikh Maryada [code of conduct] by allowing a party to take place at the Sikh Cultural Centre.’
Carnage: Members of the Sikh community survey the damage in the kitchen. The rioters were furious that the centre had been selling meat and alcohol
Calmer times: The Sikh Cultural centre in Dudley. The centre's owners have been accused by protest organisers of insulting the Sikh faith
Religious movement: Militant Sikhs stage the mass protest outside the temple on May 28 as police watch on
Significant damage was caused to the premises and our investigation into what happened on the day continues.
‘Detectives have trawled through CCTV from the site and the vicinity as part of the inquiry and we now ask for help in identifying some of those people we would now like to speak to. We urge anyone with information to assist with identification to come forward and help us at their earliest convenience.’
Smashed: Jasbir Singh, of Dudley's Guru Nanak temple, sits amid the damage inside the Sikh Cultural Centre in the days after the attack
Trashed: Piles of food lie strewn across the ground after protesters rushed past police defending the centre and barricaded themselves inside, causing 'significant' damage
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