West Midlands Police Police under fire for ‘complete mess’ after Violent riots in Birmingham

Sep 6 2009 by Paul Bradley, Sunday Mercury

“The Home Office should have brought in special measures to prevent any of this happening.”

Management at Bennett’s pub, where the English Defence League were trapped, are now in talks with police to establish why the men were not allowed to leave the premises.

Last night bosses of the pub declined to comment, saying they were too busy dealing with the aftermath.

West Midlands Police insisted they had not arranged for the EDL to meet on Broad Street but admitted they had been in negotiations to escort them to the protest site at Lancaster Circus.

They also admitted that in hindsight a brick-filled skip should have been removed – but said any everyday item could be used as a weapon.

Detective Chief Inspector Sue Southern said: “We tried to facilitate a peaceful demonstration by negotiating with the protestors and escorting them to designated area.

“They were not willing to do this so we had to respond with a fluid and robust operation.

“Part of our plan was to keep the two groups apart. I understand the group was already in Bennett’s pub when we got there. They were kept there for their own safety.”

Dozens of police, armed with batons and shields, continued to patrol Broad Street throughout the night in a bid to prevent any further violence.

A similar demonstration in Birmingham city centre last month also ended in violence.