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Police attacked during 'machete' brawl at Birmingham cinema Police attacked during 'machete' brawl at Birmingham cinema
(about 2 hours later)
Officers deploy Tasers and dogs to quell mass fight at Star City complex in NechellsOfficers deploy Tasers and dogs to quell mass fight at Star City complex in Nechells
Police officers were attacked at a cinema in Birmingham while attempting to stop a mass brawl that broke out involving people “armed with machetes”. Five teenagers including a 13-year-old girl have been arrested following a mass brawl involving up to 100 people, some armed with machetes, at a cinema in Birmingham.
One witness described the early evening fight at the Star City venue in the Nechells district, where many cinemagoers had planned to see the new Disney film Frozen II, as “one of the scariest moments of her life”. Seven police officers were assaulted and suffered facial injuries as they responded to the disorder at the Star City cinema, in the Nechells area of the city, on Saturday night.
Footage posted on social media appears to show a policeman shouting for people to “stay where you are” as they scream and run for safety. One witness described the brawl as “one of the scariest moments of her life”. Footage posted on social media showed people screaming and running for safety as police drew Tasers to bring the fight under control.
West Midlands police said several arrests had been made and that a dispersal order had been put in place, meaning officers could arrest anyone who refused to leave. West Midlands police said on Sunday that two machetes and a knife had been recovered and that five teenagers had been arrested. A 13-year-old girl, a girl and boy both aged 14 and a 19-year-old man were arrested for assaulting police. Another 14-year-old boy was held on suspicion of obstructing police, the force said.
Supt Ian Green, from Birmingham police, said: “This was a major outbreak of trouble which left families who were just trying to enjoy a night out at the cinema understandably frightened. We worked quickly to move the crowds on, but were met with a very hostile response and officers had to draw Tasers to restore order.
“Thankfully, the injuries to our officers were very minor. We’ve also recovered two machetes and a knife, and it’s clear that some of those who went to Star City last night were intent on causing trouble.”
Rachael Allison, who witnessed the brawl among a crowd of more than 100 people shortly after 5.30pm, told PA Media: “The police told everyone to leave the cinema as they held Taser guns in their hands and started to bring in guard dogs.Rachael Allison, who witnessed the brawl among a crowd of more than 100 people shortly after 5.30pm, told PA Media: “The police told everyone to leave the cinema as they held Taser guns in their hands and started to bring in guard dogs.
“I spoke to a policeman who told me it is unclear whether the kids had weapons and also stated when kids fight they bring their group of friends.”“I spoke to a policeman who told me it is unclear whether the kids had weapons and also stated when kids fight they bring their group of friends.”
Another witness saw a young boy crying on the floor with his mother as young people fought.Another witness saw a young boy crying on the floor with his mother as young people fought.
Choleigh McGuire, who was queueing with her daughter for a screening of Frozen II, described the incident as “one of the scariest moments of [her] life”.Choleigh McGuire, who was queueing with her daughter for a screening of Frozen II, described the incident as “one of the scariest moments of [her] life”.
She said: “Armed police come, Tasers come, all of the people that were fighting ran off into the cinema, hiding. I am shaking.”She said: “Armed police come, Tasers come, all of the people that were fighting ran off into the cinema, hiding. I am shaking.”
Supt Green said further arrests would be made and urged anyone with footage to contact police.
He added: “We’ve had a great response from the public who have been very supportive of our officers. We understand that families with young children will have been left upset by what they saw last night, but we urge people to appreciate that our aim last night was to protect the public and restore order, and that’s what we achieved.
“We’re aware of a number of images and videos circulating on social media which appear to show those involved in last night’s violence. We are assessing those and have already had a number of phone calls from members of the public giving us the names of people they believe were involved last night.”