Trouble in Birmingham

Disturbances erupted in Birmingham City Centre, with reports of trouble at Key Shopping centres in the area around 18:00 hours

The trouble which started days after the looting across east and south London, following a major riot in Tottenham on Saturday night.

Riot police and dog handlers were called to Birmingham City Centre early this evening after a group of youths caused damage to shops on Temple Street.

Disorder has then spread through the rest of the City Centre, where a number of shops are also attacked.

Statement from West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police are aware of some disorder in Birmingham city centre.

Several premises in the centre have been attacked with some shop windows smashed and property stolen in various locations.

Police are currently controlling access on some of the arterial routes into the city centre, including the inner-city ring road, whilst officers continue to bring calm back to Birmingham.

ACC Sharon Rowe said: "We will not tolerate mindless violence and damage anywhere in the West Midlands and are working to ensure that the offenders are identified and caught as soon as possible.

"A policing operation is in place with extra officers in Birmingham to restore calm in the city centre, and protect local people and businesses.

"Our communities have made it clear to us that they do not want this kind of violence in their city and we will continue to work with them to bring anybody who commits acts of crime or anti-social behaviour to justice as soon as possible."

See images from Birmingham City Centre