There was shocking scenes as six teenagers have been banned from Star City and every cinema in the UK after being arrested in connection with Saturday’s massive riot. Youths arrested in connection with terrifying violence at giant entertainment complex in Star City Birmingham.
Police had to draw Tasers – on Saturday night, 23rdNovember. A boy of 14 was the latest to be arrested when he was detained on suspicion of violent disorder on Sunday 24thNovember. West Midlands Police said he was detained after a social media image showed a youth carrying a machete. He was later bailed.
A young boy blatantly wields a huge machete inside a city venue packed full with families and children in a shocking new image which has gone viral.
The distressing image was widely shared across social media as news broke of a machete lockdown at Star City on Saturday evening 23rdNovember.
Trouble had sparked as machete-wielding thugs stormed Vue Cinema, with pockets of violence then flaring across the entertainment complex from 5.35pm. West Midlands Police are aware of the image and believe it is from the incident on Saturday night.
Four teenagers, aged 13 to 19, were initially arrested on Saturday night on suspicion of assaulting police, and a fifth held for obstructing police. They were all further arrested on suspicion of violent disorder before they were bailed.
The conditions compelled the six to stay at home overnight and they were banned from Star City and every cinema in the UK. They could be arrested again if the terms are broken.
Families had gone to Star City to see Frozen 2 were left terrified by the violence, which led to the Vue cinema chain pulling gang film Blue Story from all its screens. Cineworld had also done the same.
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.
“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.
“I’d ask anyone with images or video who has not yet got in touch already to do so that we can make further arrests.”
Anyone with information should contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk, via 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
