Shocking footage shows Birmingham police officers being attacked as violence erupts in street

Shocking footage shows three police officers being hit over the head with a bicycle after violence erupted along a city street in broad daylight.

West Midlands Police were called to Villa Road, in Lozells, Birmingham, to arrest two men outside a shop before the chaotic scenes unfolded this week.

Officers can be seen calling for back-up as they struggled to detain one of the men, who leaves a police officer lying on the ground with a head injury during the struggle. But as multiple officers attempt to overpower the man, a separate onlooker can be seen picking up a bike and smashing the group of officers over the head with it.

The man then swings a punch at an officer’s face before bizarrely throwing what appears to be a cabbage at him. An elderly man, believed to be the shop owner, then wrestles the attacker to the ground before he is detained by the officer.

West Midlands Police confirmed three of their officers were taken to hospital after being “punched and bitten” during the attack.

The footgage was obtained by the Birmz Is Grime blog. The footage has been viewed and shared thousands of times since being uploaded to social media earlier today (Wed.)

One web user commented: “Why did the dude with the bike even get involved?”

Another wrote: “The audacity of it, the lack of the respect shown for the police astounds me. The Wild West Midlands.” A third put: “The police just don’t look in control of the situation here at any point. Just shocking behaviour from all involved.”

Others praised the elderly business owner for stepping in to help the officers.

Another person added: “Uncle handled him better than the cops.”

Police statement

A West Midlands Police spokesperson, said: “Two men have been arrested after four police officers were attacked in Villa Road, Lozells, at just before 1pm yesterday (24 October).

“Officers were on patrol and authorised to use dispersal order powers in response to recent concerns over suspicious activity in the area.

“They spoke a man and asked him to leave. Some of our officers were then punched and bitten.

“A bike was then also thrown at them and with the assistance of a member of the public a man was detained. A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault; and a 30-year-old man on suspicion of assault and possession of drugs.

“They remain in custody for questioning.

“Three officers were taken to hospital to be treated for injuries which were thankfully not serious.”

Detective Superintendent Jim Munro, from Birmingham Local Policing Area, said: “Our officers are on the frontline every minute of every day - often putting their own safety at risk - to help and protect the public in their time of need.

“Attacks on our staff while carrying out their daily duties are unacceptable and will never be tolerated.”