Shock as fireworks launched at people & buildings on Bagot Street in Birmingham city centre

Police attended Bagot Street and Staniforth Street near Aston University in Birmingham city centre following reports that people were setting off fireworks at each other and neighbouring buildings.

A Section 35 dispersal order was put in place yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, October 31) following calls from the public who were concerned about the explosions. Nine people were arrested overnight. Police said they are stepping up patrols in the area today and over the coming days.

Students described their campus as “a warzone” and said they “ran for their lives” as the chaos unfolded. Others dubbed it “the Battle of Brum.”

One student, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I’ve never seen anything like it. There was just a huge mob of people letting off fireworks at anyone and everyone. It was like something from a war film. There were explosions going off, and people were running away screaming. There were police all over the place. It was lawless. It was absolute carnage.”

Officers issued a statement at 2am this morning (Wednesday, November 1) as calls continued throughout the evening. A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said that some of the fireworks were launched at officers at the scene, with two injured along with other people. The injuries were not serious.

They added: “We are aware of videos circulating on social media and will be taking action against anyone involved in public order offences or any other criminality that is reported to us.”

A further police statement was issued later saying: “We took tough action - including using stop and search powers - to bring the matter under control and make a series of arrests.

“We won’t tolerate such appalling behaviour which we know is frightening for people and puts them at risk of harm. We’ll use all powers available to us to stop it and we’ll seek to prosecute anyone involved.

“We’ll have another tough focused policing operation in place today, and over the coming days, to ensure such deplorable actions are prevented and to keep our communities safe.”

Several concerned residents took to social media to express their shock at the scenes. The posts claimed that it was university students setting off the fireworks and that it was an annual occurrence.

Please report any concerns to West Midlands Police. We will bring any further updates as soon as we are aware of them .