Extra police patrolling Coventry over riot threat

[dutchman]

There are extra police on the streets of Coventry tonight to try to stop rioting breaking out in the city.



The West Midlands has seen a second evening of violence, with cars so far set alight in West Brom and shop windows smashed, stores looted in Wolverhampton, and reports of more riots in Birmingham.

Shops have been attacked and a car is alight on Moor Street.

Police say a large group in West Brom earlier have now dispersed and there have been no further incidents.

5 people have already been arrested tonight.

Police say there have been no reports of any disorder in Coventry, but National Express have told Mercia they have pulled their buses out of Wood End as they investigate an earlier incident.

Patrols are also being stepped up at shopping centres, including Central Six right next to Coventry train station, where there was a police presence last night. Sports Direct there have boarded up windows as a precaution.

Shopkeepers in Radford are also worried after 4 stores were targeted last night, with the PDSA charity shop on Jubilee Crescent seeing its windows smashed and rails of clothes thrown all over the floor.

400 extra police officers are on the West Midlands streets tonight, ready to get to any incident across the region.

In a statement earlier the Coventry force said:

“We have additional police patrols on the street, and trained public order teams on standby, in order to protect members of the public, homes and retail premises.

“We are confident we can provide an effective and proportionate policing response to any given situation and remain fully committed to supporting and protecting our communities.

“West Midlands Police will not tolerate violent behaviour and will arrest any people who commit acts of violence or criminality. Offenders can expect to be put before the courts and punished appropriately.

“Should there be any incidents of disorder I would ask members of the public to stay calm, remain at home, and give police officers the space they need to monitor and contain any issues that arise.”

Anybody with information about an incident should dial 0345 113 5000 and quote Operation View.