Arrests following moaning Muslims protest in Birmingham city centre - Press Release - West Midlands Police

Arrests following protest in Birmingham city centre

21 September 2012

THREE MEN have been arrested following a protest in Birmingham city centre this afternoon (Friday 21 September).

The protest, which started near to the Bullring at around 3pm, reflected concerns about an online film which many people believe insults Islam.

It was only when the majority of peaceful protestors started to leave, that a small group of young people exploited an opportunity to cause trouble by running through the city and throwing a number of stones towards officers.

In addition to the arrests, other trouble-makers were quickly contained by local officers, searched and ordered to leave the city centre.

One police officer was assaulted and sustained minor injuries which did not require hospital treatment. No other injuries and no other crimes were reported.

The police have no power to ban static and have a positive duty to facilitate that right as Superintendent Richard Moore, from Birmingham Central police station, explained.

“In these circumstances we have a responsibility not only to maintain the peace and safety of the city centre, but also to facilitate and support peaceful protest.

“In this case is deeply regrettable that a small proportion of otherwise peaceful protestors behaved so badly and caused the officers present to take enforcement action.”

“I would like to reassure members of the public that when people step outside of the law, then our officers will take the necessary action.”

The three men remain in police custody.

Shops and businesses in the city remained open throughout the protest although some made the independent decision to temporarily limit access to their premises.

Police used Twitter to dispel inaccurate reports on the nature of the protest and scale of the disorder.

via Arrests following protest in Birmingham city centre – Press Release – West Midlands Police.

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