Bonfire Night mayhem in major UK city as four arrested after firework attacks on police

Disorder erupted during Bonfire Night festivities in Birmingham's Bordesley Green last night, with a group of youths targeting police officers and members of the public with fireworks, leading to multiple arrests and the seizure of weapons. West Midlands Police responded to reports of the unrest near local parks shortly after 8pm on November 5.

The force described encountering around 20-30 individuals involved in the anti-social behaviour, which involved projectiles aimed at patrol vehicles and bystanders. Four people were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and possession of fireworks, according to an official press release issued this morning. During the operation, officers recovered several weapons, including catapults and missiles, in addition to the illegal pyrotechnics.

The statement noted no serious injuries occurred, though minor damage was caused to police property. Inspector Matthew Minton said: "We made four arrests this evening as violent disorder broke out where members of the public and our officers were attacked with fireworks.

"Fortunately no-one has been seriously hurt. We also seized weapons and fireworks as we deployed our Section 60 powers to stop and search.

"We had robust plans in place tonight to respond to any Bonfire Night disorder. Behaviour like what we have seen this evening simply won't be tolerated."

Social media footage from the scene, shared on platforms such as X and TikTok, illustrated the intensity of the incident.

Posts from local accounts highlighted the swift police response, while others raised alarms about the disruption to family events in the area.

Eyewitness reports aligned with the police account, detailing how initial celebrations spiralled into chaos, forcing revellers to seek shelter.

In response, West Midlands Police have increased patrols across Bordesley Green and adjacent neighbourhoods to maintain order as Bonfire Night draws to a close.

The flare-up in Bordesley Green, just a short distance from Aston Villa's Villa Park stadium, arrives at a tense moment for the city, coming barely 24 hours before the club's UEFA Europa League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday evening.

With heightened security already in place for the match - which pits the Premier League side against the Israeli champions amid broader geopolitical sensitivities - local authorities are on high alert for any spillover from last night's unrest.

Villa officials have urged fans to travel responsibly, while police have linked the incident to opportunistic youth disorder rather than match-related agitation, though the proximity has amplified concerns over crowd safety in the area.

The event fits into a broader trend of disturbances associated with the holiday in the region.

Force records show comparable incidents in prior years, frequently connected to unregulated fireworks and socio-economic pressures in areas with elevated deprivation levels.

Officials have stressed collaborative approaches with local groups to mitigate risks, including advice for families to supervise young people closely during peak activity times.

Investigations remain active, with analysts examining submitted dashcam and mobile footage.

The public are being asked to assist by contacting the force on 101, quoting log 3872 of November 5.