West Midlands Police have launched a manhunt after petrol bombs were thrown at a Lamborghini and McLaren parked outside a wedding venue in Birmingham, with CCTV footage capturing the incident.
Officers were called at around 8.30pm on Wednesday, August 19, to reports of an incident at Royal Shalimar Banqueting Hall on Highgate Road. Footage shows one petrol bomb smashing through the front of the venue, where hundreds were dining. Two more were hurled at supercars parked outside, believed to be a Lamborghini and a McLaren.
Staff tackle flames before emergency services arrive
Staff at the venue diverted the disaster by tackling the flames with fire extinguishers before emergency services arrived at the scene. Police say three men were spotted running down Mole Street before getting into a white Volkswagen Golf and driving off.
The footage, which circulated on social media, shows several people scattering from the scene, including one man carrying a toddler. Police say no injuries were reported. The bombs nearly missed young partygoers in traditional thobes and a baby, all among those outside.
Witness describes 'very serious incident'
Fahim Kayani, president of the All Parties International Kashmir Coordination Committee (APIKCC), a political advocacy group in the UK, was at the wedding with 500 attendees. He said: "I was inside enjoying my meal when this very serious incident took place. I was aware of a disturbance outside. The restaurant staff responded very quickly and put the flames out using fire extinguishers before the emergency services arrived. It could have been very bad indeed. The police need to find those responsible."
Police appeal for information
CCTV footage shows three people dressed in black lingering across the road from the venue. Officers are urging anyone with information to get in touch via Live Chat on their website or by calling 101, quoting log 5308 of 18 August.
