Watch: Terrifying moment knifeman brandishes a machete in McDonald’s in Birmingham city centre

Terrifying footage shows the moment a knifeman brandished a huge machete in McDonald’s restaurant on “the ramp” in Birmingham city centre before being tasered by police.

West Midlands Police officers swooped at the packed fast food branch in Birmingham city centre in the early hours of Sunday morning (July 23) after being alerted by shocked diners. Chilling video footage obtained by the Birmz Is Grime blog shows a hooded male wielding a massive 12 inch blade near to the food counter.

A teeanger has since been charged with possession of a knife and is due before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court this morning (Monday, July 24). Police said that noone was injured in the incident, but that McDonald’s staff were left shaken.

One onlooker can be heard saying "yo yo yo, he’s got the shank on" moments before the suspect is tasered by a police officer standing near the doorway. Four officers then rush in to arrest the man as he is lying on the ground while witnesses can be heard screaming in the background.

The McDonald’s, next to Grand Central and Birmingham New Street train station, is one of the busiest in the city centre. West Midlands Police said: “We have charged a teenager with possession of a knife after we were called to McDonald’s in Birmingham city centre at around 4.40am yesterday (23 July).

“A 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested within minutes of the call being made and three knives were recovered. Fortunately, nobody was injured, but staff at the restaurant were left shaken by the incident. The teenager was not Tasered but he was red dotted to ensure the safety of others. He was remanded to appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court this morning.”