Covid: Police break up illegal rave in Digbeth warehouse

About 150 people were at a disused warehouse in Digbeth when police arrived

Bottles were thrown at police when they broke up an illegal rave with a 150-strong crowd at a disused warehouse.

Officers forced their way into the event in Bordesley Street, Digbeth, Birmingham on Saturday night.

They were "pelted with bottles," West Midlands Police said, and one officer was "kicked out" at but was unhurt.

A man was arrested on suspicion of assault and more than 100 penalty notices of £200 were issued for breaching lockdown.

The arrested man was later released under investigation.

Police seized Class A drugs, a knuckleduster and DJ equipment when they went to the site after being contacted.

The event was held in a building in Digbeth

Ch Supt Andy Beard said: "This was not only illegal, but extremely dangerous for both those who attended and officers.

"It's extremely disappointing that some are still not grasping that such events only increase the risk of spreading a deadly virus."

The force said it believed it had identified the event's organisers and was looking to pursue further action against them.

Birmingham, like most of the West Midlands, will be under tier three restrictions, the highest alert level, when it comes out of England's second lockdown on Wednesday.