Six people have been arrested after disorder broke out in Solihull town centre following England’s World Cup semi-final match on Wednesday night.
West Midlands Police said they were called after large groups gathered in the town centre once the match finished, with hundreds of people congregating in the area. Officers reported that bottles and glasses were thrown during the disorder, and a 65-year-old woman was assaulted, though she was not seriously injured.
A dispersal order was put in place in the town centre, giving officers extra powers to deal with those committing crimes and engaging in anti-social behaviour.
Five people have been arrested in connection with the disorder and remain in custody for questioning. Two men, aged 18 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. A further 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and violent disorder. A 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police constable, possession of Class A drugs, and violent disorder, while a 21-year-old was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police constable, violent disorder, and possession of Class A drugs.
A 16-year-old girl was also arrested for a public order offence. She has since been bailed while the investigation continues.
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Lucy Wilson, for Solihull, said the force would not tolerate this kind of behaviour on the streets, warning that it put both members of the public and officers at risk. She said police had ensured plenty of resources were available on the night and were ready to respond quickly, which allowed them to put the dispersal order in place without delay, giving them the power to move on anyone causing a nuisance, committing crime, or engaging in anti-social behaviour. She said:
“We won’t tolerate this kind of behaviour on our streets, it places innocent members of the public in danger when they are trying to enjoy their evening, but also our officers who are simply doing their job and keeping the public safe.
“We had plenty of resources available and were ready to deal with any incidents that occurred, this resulted in us quickly putting a dispersal order in place.
“This gave us the powers to move people on who were causing a nuisance, committing crime, and engaging in antisocial behaviour.
“Our enquiries are ongoing, but I would urge anyone who was in the area last night and witnessed any crime or has information to come forward and make a report.”
Chief Inspector Wilson added that enquiries were ongoing, and urged anyone who was in the area on the night and witnessed a crime, or who has information, to come forward.
Anyone with information, CCTV, or mobile phone footage is asked to contact police on 101, or via the Live Chat option on the West Midlands Police website, quoting incident number 5948 of 15 July.
