Walk down to the Mill Dam today , and you would never have guessed a major riot occurred there on August 2 1930 and 4 Policemen were stabbed and seriously injured . Historically , the area has always was a place for Seamen to congregate in the hope of getting a job on a ship . During the Depression of the 1930's , when jobs were scarce , violence could break out at any time as men fought to get a job and the police always had a presence there . This riot was about jobs and bad feeling between the local Arab and white seamen

The Arabs had come to South Shields in the 19th Century and were used as cheap labour on the ships , usually as firemen and stokers , because it was thought they could cope better with the heat of the Boiler room . During World War 1 , they had been used to keep the Merchant Fleet running , while British seamen were drafted into the Royal Navy . In the Depression of the 1930's , their contribution was soon forgotten . In East and West Holborn they had their own community , cafes , and boarding houses and were usually looked after by resident "Boss" Arabs . These men were well trusted in the community as they would look after the valuables and affairs of Seamen who were at Sea . Rumours circulated round Shields that the Arabs used bribery to get jobs on the ships , thereby "Robbing " white seamen of jobs . Throughout 1930 , a left wing organisation called the "Minority Movement" held Public meetings at the Mill Dam to campaign against a new rota system which they felt discriminated against the Arabs . Violence over the dispute erupted in North Shield's on April 29th , when 13 Somalis were brought over from South Shields to sign on as Firemen on a ship . A large crowd of white Seamen tried to stop them reaching the Union Office , forcing the Somalis to push their way through . They were then attacked and , despite drawing their knives , they were severely beaten . A large mob of white Seamen then roamed the waterfront hunting for any Arabs or coloured folk . Thankfully the violence was small compared to the events in South Shields on August 2nd - these would make the National headlines .

An angry crowd gathers near the Mill Dam		An injured Arab is arrested

A large crowd of Arabs gathered outside the shipping Foundation Offices at the Mill Dam to hear rousing speeches from the leaders of the Minority Movement . Trouble began about Lunchtime when 4 white men were hired for the steamer Etheralda, and expecting trouble , the police were drafted into the area. Ali Hamid , one of the jobless Arabs was heard to shout " They work , but there is no work for the Blackman " . There are conflicting reports about what triggered the resulting chaos , but there was soon furious fighting between a group of white seamen and the Arab crowds . Police drew their truncheons and charged , only to be met by a hail of stones and shouts of abuse . Once among the crowd , the Arabs drew their knives , stabbing 4 Policemen . This caused the Police reinforcements to "give no quarter " and they waded in with their truncheons as the riot spilled over into nearby Holborn , injuring dozens of innocent bystanders . The fighting was eventually got under control , but the area was strewn with bricks and dotted with pools of blood

An Arab is arrested		The prisoners arrive at court

On Monday morning , the public gallery in the Magistrates was full , with an estimated 1000 crowd outside . Six white men and 20 Arabs were brought from the cells and accused of causing an affray or riot . A collection of knives , sticks , chair legs and other weapons was displayed , before they were released on bail of £10 each . A petition signed by 500 South Shields Arabs was sent to the Home Secretary to voice their grievances , but all to no avail . Little was done for them , scores of them had to be admitted to Harton Workhouse as their money ran out . Nearly 100 , not implicated in the riots , were deported . On November 20th , after a 2 day trial at Durham Assizes , all the Arab defendants were given sentences of hard labour , ranging from 3 to 16 months . After serving their sentences they were to be deported . A plea for mercy by Mohammed Yousef , who was married to a local woman , was turned down by the Judge . The white " Minority Movement " organisers got 8 months each .