Patrols Increase in Small Heath
West Midlands Police have said that they believe attacks on shops owned by Muslims in Birmingham’s Small Heath area were “targeted and not connected to ethnicity or religion.”
Reassurance comes after eight different Muslim-owned businesses were attacked in separate incidents in the past week. Witnesses have claimed to see a gang of men attacking shops, restaurants and boutiques across Small Heath. No injuries were reported.
Inspector Jenny Richards of West Midlands Police said there was no motive for the attacks and the incident can not be linked to the situation in Paris. “Our investigation suggests that the attacks were not random, but we continue to appeal to the local community for information, no matter how insignificant it may seem.”
“We don’t know for sure what the motive was at the moment. It could be completely indiscriminate. Unfortunately this is the sort of thing that yobs like to do.”
“What I would say is that we are taking this very seriously, we have a team of detectives on the case and we will release images of anyone we want to speak to as soon as we have them. We would also urge anyone who has information to get in touch.”
“Patrols have been increased in the area to reassure the public that efforts are ongoing to trace those involved.”
