Birmingham: Police called to reports of people with machetes involved in cinema brawl

A number of police officers have been assaulted after a brawl at a Birmingham cinema.

Officers were called to Star City, an entertainment complex in the Nechells area, just after 5.30pm on Saturday following reports that a group of people with machetes had arrived.

More than 100 people were at the cinema and “pockets of fighting” broke out as officers tried to clear the area, West Midlands Police said in a statement.

A number of officers were injured and several arrests were made.

Witness Rachael Allison said: “The police told everyone to leave the cinema as they held Taser guns in their hands and started to bring in guard dogs.

“I spoke to a policeman who told me it is unclear whether the kids had weapons and also stated when kids fight they bring their group of friends.”

Another witness Choleigh McGuire said: “Armed police come, Tasers come, all of the people that were fighting ran off into the cinema, hiding. I am shaking.”

Police said a dispersal order is in place, meaning officers can arrest anyone who refuses to leave when asked.

(c) Sky News 2019: Birmingham: Police called to reports of people with machetes involved in cinema brawl