Birmingham city centre protests: 33 arrested
RIOT police made 33 arrests tonight as they fought running battles with rival protesters as racial tensions spilled over on the streets of Birmingham.
Two people were injured as violence broke out in the city centre between a right-wing group campaigning against Muslim extremists and anti-fascists.
The rivals had held vocal but peaceful protests in separate parts of the city centre until trouble flared in New Street just before 7pm.
Terrified shoppers cowered in Primark and Saturday night revellers fled in panic as hundreds of police, some clad in full riot gear, struggled to keep the peace.
As our dramatic pictures show, at one point a man shields his head as he lies prone on the ground while a young thug attempts to kick him in the face.
Another photograph appears to show a middle-aged man throwing a punch as he is confronted by another man as tensions reach boiling point.
By 8.30pm police had restored order, but tensions remained high.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: ‘‘We can confirm 33 arrests have been made to date the majority for disorder. To date there has been one report of criminal damage to a car, although we expect further reports.
‘‘We have also had reports of two people being injured and no known injuries to police officers. A high visibility policing presence continues.
‘‘A post operation investigation has now commenced into any criminality that took place during this afternoon’s protests.’’
The unrest flared after a group called Casuals United organised the city centre demonstration against Islamic fundamentalists.
