A man stands with his hands on his hips and looks on in horror. Shouts can be heard on the other side of the road as two groups of men charge at each other with weapons.
“He got chopped with an axe,” somebody is heard saying before a white car darts across the frame and people duck for cover. It’s one of many shocking videos circulating following what police have dubbed a violent disorder on Alum Rock Road. It happened near the junction of Pelham Road in broad daylight today, June 27.
Another video – also too graphic to publish – shows a red van mounting the kerb before attempting to plough into a group of fighting men. You can’t really make out what is being said by the armed clusters of thugs. But one man is later heard saying to an enemy: “Get back in your car.”
A person is then tackled to the ground before a series of blows rain down on him. One of his attackers strikes him with a pole and a weapon.
People look on and the group continues fighting until the video cuts out. Nobody was seriously hurt in the clash. But West Midlands Police confirmed four people were injured in scenes that happened just before 1pm.
Detectives said officers would step up patrols after the violence played out on one of Birmingham’s busiest streets. There was also another scene on Burney Lane outside Washwood Heath Academy where officers were pictured probing a car.
A force statement read: “We are currently at Alum Rock Road near the junction of Pelham Road following a disorder involving a number of people with weapons at around 12.40pm. We understand four men were injured but no one is believed to be in a life-threatening condition.
“Officers have closed the road in both directions as enquiries continue. And our neighbourhood teams are carrying out extra patrols to offer reassurance to people in the area.”
Police appeared quick to react. There was an enormous presence with a lot of activity centred near a row of shops that includes a phone shop and hairdressers.
Uniformed officers were spotted conducting finger-tip searches of a bush near a crashed Volkswagen golf and neighbouring properties. Meanwhile, detectives went door to door and spoke with various businesses lining the road.
