Arrests made after police attacked with fireworks

West Midlands Police said officers were attacked with fireworks

Four teenagers are among 21 people arrested after police and members of the public were attacked with fireworks in Birmingham.

The arrests - on suspicion of violent disorder - were made in the Dale End and Staniforth Street area on Wednesday evening, West Midlands Police said.

The force seized weapons and fireworks as it deployed Section 60 powers to stop and search people.

It said disorder involving young people saw fireworks released in a dangerous manner, but nobody had been seriously hurt.

"In total we arrested 21 people, aged between 14 and 25, for a number of offences including violent disorder, assaulting a police officer, breach of the peace, and firing fireworks in a public place," the force said in a statement.

On Wednesday, police said the Section 60 provision would remain in place until 06:00 GMT on Thursday, allowing officers during the period to stop and search people without the need to have reasonable grounds to do so.

This power was "exercised to safeguard the community from this dangerous behaviour", the force added.

Insp Matthew Minton said of operations on Wednesday: "We had robust plans in place [on 5 November] to respond to any Bonfire Night disorder.

"Behaviour like what we have seen overnight will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be held accountable."