MP warns of consequences after Birmingham disorder

A prominent Birmingham MP has joined police in warning that those responsible for disorder in the city on Monday evening will face the consequences.

Police have confirmed they are investigating various pockets of unrest after a group gathered to oppose a rumoured far-right march that did not materialise.

Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, whose constituency was among the areas hit by disturbances, said any acts of violence would not be tolerated and thanked residents who called police during the disorder.

The Clumsy Swan pub in Yardley, which had its windows smashed, praised the community for its support, with Sheldon Mosque offering to pay for repairs to the damage.

Police said "a large number of people" gathered in the Bordesley Green area on Monday amid reports of a far-right march that did not take place, and added there were no clashes between "members of opposing groups".

According to some social media posts, that crowd - comprising of mainly young Asian men - was nearly 300 in number.

The West Midlands force said there were then sporadic criminal incidents, with officers investigating reports of an assault and a man in possession of an offensive weapon.

Along with criminal damage to vehicles in Bordesley Green and Stechford, police said there was an attack on The Clumsy Swan pub on Stoney Lane, Yardley.

Sky News reported that a man stabbed the tyres of its broadcast van with a knife after it broadcast live from the area.

Police said they were also investigating after a video on social media showed a man being set upon by a group outside The Clumsy Swan.

There had been false rumours a far-right group was inside the premises.

But the situation was calmed by older members of the community, social media posts suggested.

Ms Phillips said on X that residents had acted with "grace and kindness".

The pub, she explained, was able to lock up for the night as usual after being visited by "lots of lovely community sending solidarity".

She added people in Yardley had been scared on Monday evening.

"The police have attended all sites of violence and all those perpetrating it will face the consequences no matter who they are," she said.

Ch Supt Richard North said: “Fortunately, rumours of the significant protest activity in the city didn’t materialise. There were several sporadic incidents of criminality during the evening and we will work hard to arrest those responsible.

“We want to reassure [the public] that anyone participating in any criminality on our streets will be dealt with robustly."

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