Tuesday 9 August 2011

Riots erupt in Birmingham: Police make 100 arrests


Eyewitness footage of disorder and disturbances in Birmingham city centre.

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Rioting erupted in Birmingham, with a police station set on fire and stores looted in what police described as "mindless thuggery".
Trouble flared around the station in Holyhead Road, Handsworth, and also involved police cars being targeted.
Shops damaged in the city centre included a McDonald's restaurant and an Armani store at the Mailbox centre.
About 100 were arrested, including a significant number of youths.
Thirteen people out of 28 injured seen by crews went to hospitals, the ambulance service said.
Several premises were attacked with shop windows smashed and property stolen in various locations in the centre as well as some surrounding areas.
'Run amok' A heavy police presence was seen in the city from late afternoon. Some shops in the city centre closed early.
BBC reporter Grant Sherlock said the window of Mills City Express store, in Colmore Row, was smashed by youths wielding a bin.
He said some had then run into the store before emerging with goods in their hands.
A burnt-out car in the Handsworth area A burnt-out car was in the Handsworth area on Tuesday morning
Vans of police in riot gear soon arrived and the youths dispersed.
Shortly after, another group broke through the metal security shutter of the Jessops store in Temple Row and cameras and electrical equipment were taken from inside, he said.
In New Street, a front window of the Adidas store was smashed and empty coat hangers littered the street outside.
Another eyewitness, Chris Scrivens, said youths had "run amok" in the grounds around the cathedral.
"I saw one guy put a window through of a shop. Another one picked up the debris.
"They were kicking over motorcycles," he said.
'Twitter intelligence' Police in riot gear were positioned in several parts of the city centre, with some advising onlookers to get off the streets.
Arrests were made for various offences, including violent disorder and aggravated burglary.
The Pandora jewellers shop in Birmingham city centre is attacked The Pandora jewellers shop in Birmingham city centre was attacked
Some parts of the city centre remain cordoned off as forensic officers examine scenes of disorder.
But all roads are open and the city is "open for business as usual", police said.
Police said they had been aware of "Twitter intelligence" from lunchtime on Monday, suggesting there would be trouble in the city during the evening.
Later on Monday, at 23:45 BST, the West Midlands force confirmed the police station in Holyhead Road was on fire.
The force also reported some of its cars had come under attack in the street.
Ambulance crews said were called to 34 incidents until just after 03:00 BST.
The majority of calls were to reports of people being assaulted.
Lloyds TSB A Lloyds TSB site in Handsworth was damaged
Assistant chief ambulance officer Tracey Morrell said: "The majority of incidents have been as a result of assaults, but thankfully most have not been too serious."
There were no reports of any serious injuries as a result of the disorder, police said.
Shabana Mahmood, Labour MP for Birmingham Ladywood, said the incidents in Birmingham had been "mindless criminality".
She said: "Obviously we have to have a debate and consider whether there are underlying reasons and learn some of the lessons potentially from some of these incidents as well."
Councillor Paul Tilsley, deputy leader of the city council, said the authority was making every effort possible to clear up any damage and bring normality back to the city.
He said earlier: "We'd stress to retailers, workers and shoppers alike that the city remains very much open for business and would encourage them to come in as normal."

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