Birmingham race riots condemned by community
A man in his 20s was killed, three more were stabbed and a police officer was injured during Saturday night’s disturbances in the Lozells area.
Witnesses have spoken of people being pulled out of cars and attacked and their vehicles set alight.
The violence followed a day which saw a rally and a community meeting held over an alleged assault on a teenage girl.
Superintendent Tom Coughlan said that the 14-year-old Jamaican girl alleged to have been gang raped, had still not come forward to tell her story.
Community leaders Justice Williams and Salma Yakub said: “We need to make progress together to bring about calm.”
A statement read by community representations said: “We acknowledge community tensions but escalating violence is not the answer. We utterly condemn those who are endeavouring to stir up hatred and discord.”
Ms Williams added: “Asians and blacks are both the perpetrators and the victims of the crime.”
The disturbances started after a late afternoon public meeting at the New Testament Church of God over the alleged assault.
Ms Yakub said: “A rumour started off - we still don’t know what basis it has. It might be real but we haven’t had anyone come forward.”
The confrontation between rioters and police began on Saturday evening and saw cars burned, property damaged, missiles thrown with rioters wearing masks, or covering their faces with hoods.
