Police launch pictures of 9 suspects needed over violent dysfunction
Police have today released the images of nine suspects they are hunting in relation to disorder in Birmingham at a counter-protest to far-right riots.
Officers hope people will recognise the men in the photos so they can find them after the ‘unacceptable’ violence on August 5 in which a man was assaulted and a pub and car were damaged.
West Midlands Police has already made almost a dozen arrests for violence, possessing weapons and online threats as the force warned: ‘Our message is clear: we will not tolerate disorder in our towns and cities or those who use social media to encourage criminal acts.’
Dedicated officers are working on the investigation with five arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, and a man being charged with possession of a weapon.
‘We continue to review all available material and are now issuing images of other suspects we’re looking to identify, as what occurred was unacceptable and can never be condoned,’ the force said.
Police have released the images of nine suspects they are hunting in relation to disorder in Birmingham at a counter-protest to far-right riots
Officers hope people will recognise the men in the photos so they can find them after the ‘unacceptable’ violence on August 5 in which a man was assaulted and a pub and car were damaged
‘We’re hoping you may recognise them, or distinctive clothing they were wearing, which will help us to find them.’
West Midlands Police is investigating other incidents connected to disorder in the area around the Belchers Lane counter-protest, including an attack on a drinker outside a pub in Yardley which did not result in serious injuries.
Masked groups turned out in the Alum Rock and Bordesley Green areas on Monday after rumours circulated in a far-right Telegram group of thugs heading to the city.
Some of those who turned up to a McDonald’s in the area confronted Sky News reporter Becky Johnson as she delivered a live report to anchorman Mark Austin – riding up to her on a motorbike as she spoke to the camera.
Ms Johnson later disclosed that a Sky News van was attacked by a man with a knife as they attempted to leave the scene – after being told they were not welcome in the area.
As she reported that local community leaders had been speaking to police about the gatherings, the man shouted: ‘Yo, free Palestine, f*** the EDL (English Defence League)’.
West Midlands Police has already made almost a dozen arrests for violence, possessing weapons and online threats
The force warned: ‘Our message is clear: we will not tolerate disorder in our towns and cities or those who use social media to encourage criminal acts’
West Midlands Police is investigating other incidents connected to disorder in the area around the Belchers Lane counter-protest
Dedicated officers are working on the investigation with five arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, and a man being charged with possession of a weapon
Young men, some in masks, gathered outside a McDonald’s in Bordesley Green amid rumours of a far-right gathering on August 5
Some protesters donned masks to stand on the roundabout – as many have in the riots seen in recent days
Sky News reporter Becky Johnson was confronted by a gang of masked thugs live on TV
The protester shouted ‘Free Palestine, f*** the EDL’ as the reporter looked on and associates joined him
He was then surrounded by accomplices who approached the camera as it sought to turn away and crop them out of the scene – while Ms Johnson attempted to apologise for the language used by the protesters.
A car was also attacked after social media rumours of a far-right protest in the area proved to be false.
Some businesses in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter closed early on Wednesday, or were boarded up, ahead of further expected protests.
