Four teenagers were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder following disturbances in Birmingham overnight. Police responded to attacks on officers, including the use of fireworks, and confiscated weapons during the unrest.
West Midlands Police reported that four teenage boys were taken into custody late Wednesday night in the Dale End area of Birmingham. The arrests followed violent clashes where officers faced attacks from youths armed with fireworks.
To handle the situation, police were granted new stop and search powers under Section 60 for 15 hours, from 3pm the previous day until 6am the next morning, targeting areas affected by the firework gang disorder.
Videos shared on social platforms early Thursday showed masked youths throwing flares at police, cars, and each other in the streets. Users on X (formerly Twitter) described the scene vividly:
“Police have been with riot shields and these kids don't care, they’re throwing fireworks at them and water at them.”
“Set a flare off at Birmingham city football ground at 3 PM on a Saturday and you would get a different response.”
Reports mentioned a 14-year-old boy arrested at a fire scene where fireworks were thrown at police, injuring a female officer, and concerns about children being frightened at an unauthorized bonfire event.
Author's summary: In Birmingham, violent disorder involving youths attacking police with fireworks led to multiple arrests and deployment of special stop-and-search powers to restore order.