A group calling themselves the Chelmsley Wood Patriots, dressed all in black, walked laps of their local park under the guise of protecting women and children. But locals and anti-racism activists accused the group, swelling in numbers, of approaching people 'based on their ethnicity'.
The group filmed themselves interrogating the young men, who said they were from India, about what they were doing. In a now deleted video, one of the men was heard asking: 'What made you come to England?', to which one student replied: 'No, we are usually in Birmingham, we just moved here today.'
Final warning to stay away
The man then said: 'England, I came to do my Masters, I've been here for two years now.' One of the group then gave them 'a final warning' to stay away from the public space. He said: 'What you need to do is stay away from a children's park. 'Do not come round here again. Do not be seen here again. This is your final warning. 'You will not get a warning again, stay away, stay away! 'Go back to your house yeah and stay away. Take yourself back to where you f****g live then yeah. 'Back to the HMO, go home, go home.'
The group posted on Facebook that they were patrolling because of missing children and reported rapes in the area. They said: 'Our patriots walked around in silence up behind the man, tapped his shoulder & asked what he was doing in the park. Only then to discover two more males hiding in darkness of the trees near the toilets. 'They asked why are they in a park in the dark only to be told they were exploring. 'This is why we then decided to film these men show you their responses because they all fumbled with very different stories.'
Condemnation from local politicians
They claimed they 'politely' asked them to leave the park, before adding: 'Parks are for children, family units, not three grown men sitting in the dark filming when we have so many uncertainties at present.'
Solihull Green Party issued a statement condemning the harassment and 'there was no reason for the approach other than the students' ethnicity'. It said it was trying to track down the victims to check on their welfare.
Green council candidate, Shesh Sheshabhatter told BirminghamLive: 'These young men were doing nothing wrong. 'Students are allowed to meet and walk outside, and they have every right to do so. We can see no reason they were targeted other than the colour of their skin. 'Nobody should be treated differently because of their skin or their accent.'
Police response
He added: 'The actions of people calling themselves 'patriots' are tarnishing the reputation of Chelmsley Wood, the community we live in and love. 'Real patriotism means standing up for your neighbours, not intimidating them.'
West Midlands Police said they were 'aware of reports from last night, and there is a measured and appropriate policing response taking place'.
