Seven people were arrested in Birmingham after a teenage gang allegedly set off fireworks in the city centre, forcing members of the public to run for their lives.
West Midlands Police said they responded to reports of fireworks being set off in a dangerous manner on Halloween night (October 31). Officers were called to the city centre after a large group of teenagers reportedly tore through the high street, launching fireworks into shops and at police.
Chaos in the City Centre
Footage circulating on social media shows officers being knocked to the floor by the rowdy revellers while they struggled to keep the peace. In one clip, five officers can be seen chasing a group of fleeing teens. Other videos show fireworks being let off in crowds and launched at responding police, with large pyrotechnics thrown at police vans.
Sparks rained down on members of the public who “ran for their lives” to escape the carnage. One onlooker described the scene as “like a warzone,” adding: “People were just letting off fireworks at each other like it was just a bit of harmless fun. I didn’t see anyone getting hurt but I would be amazed if nobody was injured during that as fireworks were exploding next to people in the street. It was mayhem.”
Arrests and Police Response
West Midlands Police said seven people, aged between 15 and 26, were arrested for a number of offences including assault, possession of fireworks and possession of an offensive weapon. All remain in custody for questioning.
A police spokesperson said: “We responded to reports of fireworks being set off in a dangerous manner. In total we arrested seven people (aged between 15 and 26) for a number of offences including assault, possession of fireworks and possession of an offensive weapon. They all remain in custody for questioning.”
The arrests were made in and around Stephenson St and Corporation St. A Section 60 order, in place last night and into the early hours of this morning, gave officers extra powers to carry out stop and searches of those suspected of carrying weapons or fireworks.
