Marsh Farm Riot Luton Bedfordshire

OPERATION “HANDSTAND” was the operational name given to the Bedfordshire Police response to rioting that took place between 6th and 8th July 1995 on the Marsh Farm Estate in North Luton.

Disorder began on Wednesday 5th July 1995 when Hertfordshire Constabulary were requested to immediately supply Police Support Units. One PSU deployed on Wednesday 5th July and two PSUs were sent on the Thursday 6th July.

Hertfordshire continued to provide two Police Support Units (LEVEL 2), each evening and overnight on Friday 7th, Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th July.

Hertfordshire officers were deployed at the scene on all days of the disorder and were attacked with petrol bombs, bottles and bricks each day from the Wednesday to the Saturday finally returning to force at about 0630 hrs on Monday 10th.

During the 5 day operation Hertfordshire serials made a total of four arrests; 3 for ‘Looting’ and 1 for a Bladed Weapon offence. Sunday 9th saw a PSU deployed to a firearms incident on the estate.

No Hertfordshire officers were reported to have been injured during the mutual aid deployment.

Chief Constable’s Daily Return – 10/07/1995

The PSU Ground Commander (later referred to as POPS Bronze Commander) was Chief Inspector GLAZEBROOK, who expressed his appreciation in the attached ‘return’ for the way in which all those deployed conducted themselves during what were described as difficult and tiring circumstances.

Pictured is one of the Serials that deployed on the first and subsequent nights and was formed from trained PSU officers who were already on duty or immediately available from the Police Hostels (Single Officers’ Accommodation).

Insp Kevin LATHAM                                                                                                                                                                      PS  436 David MANCE                                                                                                                                                                      PC 1728 Alan BRUCE                                                                                                                                                                          PC 1013 Steve ROBINSON                                                                                                                                                                  PC 400 Alan MCMANUS                                                                                                                                                                      PC 1714 Duncan WALLACE                                                                                                                                                                PC 656 Graham THOMAS (Carrier Driver)                                                                                                                                        PC 1713 Steve BEATON (Evidence Gatherer/EG)                                                                                                                         PC 932 Peter CRABB (Evidence Gatherer/EG)

It was this serial’s EG Team that evidenced one of the main offenders in the riot enabling Bedfordshire Police to identify and arrest him.