Looting in Birmingham

[Babu 01]

So the opportunist mentality has spread out of the capital.

This evening Birmingham's central shopping area, including the Mailbox & Bullring, has been cleaned out by organised gangs of teenagers.

Across the Arab nations people have rioted for freedom, in my city they've rioted for Primark jeans.

Absolutely pathetic.

At one point the centrally located Childrens Hospital came under attack.

Blog of major events here

Only 35 arrests so far, hopefully many, many more will follow.

[Fun Bus]

Here's hoping it settles down in Birmingham. My little Sis lives in Edgbaston - fortunately not on her own.

[crox]

Seeing my customers shops being rioted on that feed. Sickening.

[Pesty]

working there on wednesday was supposed to be staying over on tuesday and wed night.

[insanojackson]

Fun Bus said:

Here's hoping it settles down in Birmingham. My little Sis lives in Edgbaston - fortunately not on her own.

I was down ther e a few weeks ago, egbaston is very leafy, doubt it would ever kick off in that area.

[BDR529]

100 arrests made now, impressive compared to the 225 in London over 3 days!


Is it true Handsworth railway station is in flames?

[Gene Simmons]

I have heard this. Unsubstantiated though. All quiet in Harborne

[Pesty]

Im sure of this one gene BBC did say reports of staion on fire.

[Pesty]

Breaking news 100's of youths gathered at bullring center just said at bottom of screen on bbc now.


Told you

[K321]

yes great, looting in Birmingham, i am stuck in my office in jewellery quarter, been here since 8am monday morning, helicopters outside, fires, and youths out, i am thinking of leaving in 10 minutes to drive thru town back to my house, but i am having second thoughts-.....
i heard they are smashing and setting fires in pershore road, fires in handsworth, and police are spread thin, also all the arterial roads are on lockdown

[BCA]

K321 - there is atleast a fair police presence near your home (and it is quiet there.) Good luck, drive fast.

[Gene Simmons]

Pesty said:

Breaking news 100's of youths gathered at bullring center just said at bottom of screen on bbc now.


Told you

You did

You would be right, although that was considerably earlier in the evening, and it has quitened down now, other than a few cars apparently on fire in Handsworth (Not overly unusual)



I am leaving this here for proof of my wrongness

Sorry Pesty. Bizarrely, they just had a reporter apparently from Brum, reporting it was all quiet......

Errrr WTF

Edited by Gene Simmons on Tuesday 9th August 02:34

[K321]

BCA- how do you know where i live? hmmmmmm. well i have to drive thru city centre, or on ring road, pass newtown. then drive through balsall heath or drive through bristol road- i heard bristol road, people are setting fires to cars , i dont want to be stuck at some lights and have some chavs pull me out the car and set fire to it

[BCA]

Edited to remove locations.

Edited by BCA on Tuesday 9th August 02:43

[Kwai Chang Caine]

K321 said:

yes great, looting in Birmingham, i am stuck in my office in jewellery quarter, been here since 8am monday morning, helicopters outside, fires, and youths out, i am thinking of leaving in 10 minutes to drive thru town back to my house, but i am having second thoughts-.....
i heard they are smashing and setting fires in pershore road, fires in handsworth, and police are spread thin, also all the arterial roads are on lockdown

Why do you need to drive through the middle?

I'm in the jewellery quarter atm; just seen a group of young black kids try and get into a very dodgy, asian owned mobile phone repair shop (personally I think it's a front for something or other). They were told in no uncertain terms to fk off. Scuttled away with their tails between their legs. All seen from my apartment window!

[Kwai Chang Caine]

I suspect tonight is one of those nights when you'll get away with running a light or two.

I ran a few earlier when doing a staff evac from town. The atmosphere was thick with mischief!

[Pesty]

Gene Simmons said:

You did

You would be right, although that was considerably earlier in the evening, and it has quitened down now, other than a few cars apparently on fire in Handsworth (Not overly unusual)



I am leaving this here for proof of my wrongness

Sorry Pesty. Bizarrely, they just had a reporter apparently from Brum, reporting it was all quiet......

Errrr WTF

Edited by Gene Simmons on Tuesday 9th August 02:34

It does seem to be very confused reporting. No further reports about the train or police station.

No doubt it will be clear as mud tommorrow

[Kwai Chang Caine]

I'm gonna take a stroll through the city in the morning and survey the carnage.

Hopefully my business here is still in one piece!

[BCA]

The unmanned police station in Handsworth (on Soho road last time I saw it) - is little more than an armoured porta-cabin. I dont doubt it has been targetted tonight, whatever the reports are currently, but there isnt much to go up in flames there.

[K321]

BCA- i have moved house, but not too far, still in the vicinity,
i am in jewellery quarter now, near soho road,
Kwai- so is the ring road open?