Arrest over disturbances as community helps pub

A man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, following breakaway disturbances during a demonstration.

People gathered in Bordesley Green following rumours that had spread on social media about a potential far-right protest, which did not take place, police said.

The arrest of the 46-year-old relates to violent disorder outside The Clumsy Swan pub in Yardley on Monday evening.

Elder members of the Muslim community intervened to try to quell some violence at the door and community activists have apologised at the pub.

Hundreds had been near a McDonald's close to Heartlands Hospital in Bordesley Green.

Police said there were small disturbances involving people who broke off from a "largely peaceful" group.

Violent disorder happened at about 20:30 BST on Monday on Stoney Lane.

An assault took place and a man in his 50s was treated for injuries not believed to be serious, the West Midlands force said.

A pub window was smashed and it was understood this involved a separate group, following violent disorder.

In a statement, police said they were "working hard to find anyone that has been involved in this; and (our) message to you is that we will find you and we will arrest you".

Naveed Sidiq, from the Bearded Bey group, urged those involved to behave themselves.

Addressing them in an interview with the BBC, he stated: "You brought shame to our community.

"That is something that we are working to build and overnight people like you, mindless individuals, break all the good work that we as community people do."

Twenty to 30 people were inside The Clumsy Swan at the time.

Manager Linda Fogarty said: "When they started trying to boot the door in... we just all, the customers and staff that were there, we just started pulling tables over and everything to stop them from getting in.

"The majority of the people that were on the march, the walk, they were lovely.

"They were apologetic, they've offered to pay for all the damages and it wasn't them, it was just the minority, the idiots that thought it was OK to do what they did."

Police have five investigations running - the arrest, the violent disorder, criminal damage caused to the pub, an incident involving Sky News and a car being chased and window smashed.

West Midlands Police said that on the whole it had received positive feedback, but it understood there were some concerns.

Its primary aim was to ensure public safety, but it was also there to gather evidence of any offences committed, the force added.

Supt Emlyn Richards, from Birmingham police, said this was a time for communities to unite.

He added "we are working together to make sure communities are fully supported and our response is coordinated, proportionate and responsive".

Supt Richards pleaded to communities "to be extremely mindful of the incredibly harmful spreading of misinformation on social media at the current time" and asked people to "challenge what you see online".

The Labour leader of Birmingham City Council, John Cotton, said: "We've been out and about engaging with faith leaders, talking to community organisations and we'll continue to go out into neighbourhoods talking to local people over the course of this week.

"We are absolutely determined to see that this city remains a united place where division is not welcome."

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