Plea for revellers to take care after attack

Police are no longer actively investigating but promised 'no case is ever closed'

A man left with head injuries and a broken nose after being attacked during a night out is asking people not to go out alone.

Matthew Brookes woke up in hospital in November 2022 after a night out in Birmingham. He had been trying to get a taxi home when his phone was swiped from his hands.

He remembered giving chase to the thief but had no memory of the following attack, and said he does not know if the two incidents were related. The attackers have not been found.

He spoke as West Midlands Police said it was putting on extra patrols in Broad Street over the Christmas period.

More than one year on from the incident on Broad Street, the 27-year-old has recovered from his injuries, with tinnitus in one ear the only lasting effect.

The retail worker from Halesowen had been forced to take two months off work to recover.

He said he had been out with a friend when the incident happened.

They had been at the Reflex bar on Broad Street, a popular entertainments spot in the city, but the friend left before he did.

Mr Brookes left the club during the early hours and ordered an Uber but said his phone was grabbed out of his hands while he waited.

He briefly pursued the mugger before giving up after he vanished down an alleyway.

But he was then attacked by a group of three men.

Matthew Brookes, who has now recovered, was left seriously hurt after being attacked at random

In March, police informed him they had been unable to find his attackers, despite posting images of three men they wanted to find in connection with the incident.

Mr Brookes said he accepted the police had limited resources but was surprised no-one had been spoken to.

"I think there are things they could have done more with," he added.

More violence

In November, 12 months after Mr Brookes was targeted, there were at least two violent incidents on Broad Street.

One clubber was stabbed in the leg at Pryzm nightclub while two others were hurt during a separate early-hours disorder on the stretch.

Insp Christian Harrison told the BBC there would be a greater police presence in the city centre over the busy Christmas period.

"As well as additional patrols on the streets, we have specialist officers working closely with the city's pubs and clubs and other partners across the city," he said.

Three people were hurt in two separate Broad Street incidents in November this year

Mr Brookes said he now viewed his assault as a thing of the past, but agreed to speak so people would remain vigilant.

Asked if he feared others could be targeted, he said in his opinion violence could only get worse.

"If you do go out, I would definitely go with at least four of you," he said.

Police said they carried out an extensive investigation into the attack.

"For us no case is ever closed and we will pursue any new lines of inquiries, so if you have information please get in touch," a force statement read.