RYELANDS residents were picking up the pieces this week following a serious riot on the estate over the Easter bank holiday.

It is thought the violent disturbance was sparked by three men allegedly taking the law into their own hands during a domestic incident.

More than 50 men, women and children were involved in a stand off with the police who were drafted in from Blackpool, Fleetwood and Preston.

Police dogs and batons were used to quell the riot and 11 people were arrested. Riot vehicles and normal police vans were deployed to the estate. A special court was organised on Bank Holiday Monday at Lancaster Magistrates and 11 people were formally charged with violent disorder. Four were also charged with burglary with intent to commit GBH. Some of the seven people bailed are not allowed back on the estate as a bail condition. The other four were on remand. They're all due to appear at court again today (Thursday).

No-one on the estate was prepared to give their names for fear of reprisals but one said: "It was unbelievable, I've never seen anything like it. There were three riot vans that I saw and it looked like hundreds of people of all ages were out on the streets."

Another added: "There was a massive police presence all weekend and it looked like trouble would start again on Saturday. In all the years I've been here I've never seen anything like it. There were police in black cars and police dogs barking everywhere but I'm glad they showed they would enforce the law. Trouble has been brewing for a long time. It was really scary and I know I wasn't alone in being frightened."

Leader of the operation to quell the riot was Chief Inspector Graham Gardner. Speaking on Tuesday he said: "It had been a warm day and there were a lot of local residents around. I think it's fair to say that drink played a part. I would say the trouble lasted about an hour. When the ring leaders were arrested the rest quickly dispersed. We maintained a high police presence during the weekend but we are now gradually decreasing it. We anticipate that this trouble won't re-occur. We won't tolerate people behaving violently like this in the street."

Eight people with Ryelands Rd addresses have been charged with public order offences including one charged with assaulting a police officer. Three from Dee Rd have also been charged.

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