Ten people rushed to hospital after ‘chemical’ sprayed outside pub

Ten people including three police officers were taken to hospital after a ‘chemical’ was sprayed over people outside a pub.

A ‘large’ number of people had gathered outside the pub, some carrying baseball bats, police were told.

They allegedly caused damage to the Cricketers pub in Leicester, and then sprayed the substance.

In a statement, police said 10 people were taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary to be checked for ‘chemical-related injuries’.

They said: ‘Shortly after midnight today we received a report of a disorder involving a large number of people at a pub in Grace Road, Leicester, close to the cricket ground.

‘It was reported that some of the group were carrying baseball bats and had caused damage to the pub. Police attended, along with colleagues from East Midlands Ambulance Service.

‘On arrival, it was reported that a chemical had been sprayed by people involved in the incident and therefore Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service also attended.

‘Ten people – seven members of the public and three police officers – were taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary to be checked over for chemical-related injuries.

‘Two men, aged 53 and 43, were arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.

‘A 15-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

‘A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and a 29-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

‘All five remain in custody and enquiries are ongoing.’

Samuel Effah, 47, a local resident, said: ‘At around 10pm last night we saw people fighting.

‘Before that we heard lots of noise and saw two men exchanging words.

‘I saw a white car come around here and some men got out with what looked like sticks and they were beating other people.

‘Then a lot of them ran away and the car drove off.

‘It seems like almost every Saturday there’s a fight. Sometimes it’s enough for police and sometimes not.’