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Police attacked during 'machete' brawl at Birmingham cinema Film about warring gangs is pulled after machete brawl at Birmingham cinema
(about 3 hours later)
Officers deploy Tasers and dogs to quell mass fight at Star City complex in Nechells Officers deploy Tasers and dogs to quell fight at Star City complex in Nechells
Five teenagers including a 13-year-old girl have been arrested after a mass brawl involving up to 100 people, some armed with machetes, at a cinema in Birmingham. A film about warring gangs has been pulled from nearly 100 cinemas across the UK after a mass brawl involving teenagers armed with machetes in Birmingham on Saturday night.
Seven police officers were assaulted, sustaining facial injuries as they responded to the disorder at the Star City cinema in the Nechells area of the city on Saturday evening. Blue Story, which depicts violent street rivalries in south London, was removed from all 91 Vue Cinemas on Sunday following the riot.
One witness described the brawl, which started shortly after 5.30pm, 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. Five teenagers, including a 13-year-old girl, were arrested and seven police officers suffered facial injuries following what the West Midlands force described as a “major outbreak of trouble” involving up to 100 youngsters.
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. Footage posted on social media showed officers drawing Tasers to try to get the brawl under control as other cinemagoers screamed and ran, including families with young children who were there to watch the film Frozen II.
Supt Ian Green 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. Police later recovered two machetes and a knife from the Star City leisure complex, in the Nechells area of Birmingham. One witness described the brawl as “one of the scariest moments of her life”.
“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.” West Midlands police said they were trying to establish what sparked the violence, which started shortly after 5.30pm. A spokesman said the force was aware of the film Blue Story being shown but was unable to confirm whether the riot started in a screening.
Vue Cinemas, which runs the venue where the brawl erupted, said on Sunday: “We can confirm a decision was made to remove the film. The safety and welfare of our customers and staff is always our first priority.”
A voice message on Vue’s customer service helpline states: “We regret that we will no longer be screening the film Blue Story at any of our venues.” Vue is the third-biggest cinema chain in Britain, behind Cineworld and Odeon, with 850 screens in the UK and Ireland.
Blue Story, which was released on Friday, is rated 15 for very strong language, strong violence, threat, sex, and drug misuse.
Odeon cinemas said it was reviewing its position. A spokeswoman said: “We are aware of reports of violence at cinemas which have been linked to the film Blue Story. The safety of our guests and colleagues is our number one priority. We have a number of security measures in place for this film, and are currently reviewing these along with our programming, in order to continue to put the safety of our guests first.”
A social media page belonging to the film’s director, Andrew Onwubolu, better known as Rapman, was still promoting Blue Story on Sunday, posting several tweets urging people to go see it before the opening Box Office weekend closes at midnight. The Guardian has contacted Onwubolu and his representatives for comment.
During the violence on Saturday, 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.
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.”
Rachael Allison, who witnessed the brawl, 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, 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.”
Green said further arrests would be made and urged anyone with footage to contact police.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.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.”“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.”