Police used dogs to keep the crowds from re-entering – Image: SnapperSKBirmingham’s Star City, a popular entertainment complex, was placed on lock down on Saturday night when a mass brawl broke out during a movie that explores the gang culture in London.
The Mirror reports police arrested five teenagers, including a 13-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy.
“Seven police officers were injured after they were called to reports of 100 people – including youths and thugs with machetes – fighting in the entertainment complex Star City near Nechells just after 5.50pm on Saturday.”
One witness told Mirror Online: “That’s probably one of the scariest moments of my life. Me and my daughter were in a queue to watch frozen, loads of little kids there, all dressed up and everything, then these girls jumped on another girl and loads of these kids just started fighting.
“The police were very aggressive there was lots of little kids there.
“My sister is 11 and they was pointing the Tasers in our face.”
Police officers were injured in the melee – Image: SnapperSKAnother witness said: “This is the most horrifying thing I’ve been involved in I’m scared and I’m 45 little girls dressed in frozen dresses crying and screaming appalling behaviour all over a gangster film set in London.”
The officers injured all sustained minor facial injuries.
A Birmingham Police spokesman 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,” he added.
“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.”
Police are now assessing the videos circulating on social media “which appear to show those involved in last night’s violence”.
The spokesman also noted that police have received a number of calls from members of the public giving them the names of people they believe were involved, as the investigation continues.
