Ramadan chaos in Coventry Road

Angry chants, pig noises and blaring car horns echoed down Coventry Road as police were chased away trying to speak to pop-up market traders. On what was supposed to be a night of community engagement in Ramadan, crowds turned on officials responding to concerns about anti-social behaviour on the Small Heath-based road.

West Midlands Police officers, Trading Standards, Environmental Health and Licensing teams led a joint operation on the busy road to address complaints of alleged illegal vendors. The action came following a mass of complaints from residents, who claimed Ramadan turned into '30 days of hell' on Coventry Road.

Nearby businesses, imams and MPs have previously shared their worries about increased traffic congestion, anti-social behaviour, littering and alleged illegal street vendors making life difficult for local residents.

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In response to complaints, WMP announced they would visit the nightly markets to engage with street vendors and take action if necessary. But the first night ended in chaos as angry crowds shouted, swore and shoved officers. The operation had to be abandoned after just an hour and a half.

In dramatic video, captured by BirminghamLive, crowds of people can be seen circling officials who were trying to speak to street vendors. Angry chants of 'get out of here' and 'we don't want you' were shouted, as WMP and Trading Standards were pushed and swore at. Crowned were even heard making "oink" noises around WMP officers.

One official claimed someone in the crowd kicked him. Smartphones were in the air as bustling crowds tried to capture footage of the operation, some amused by the chaos with others questioning what was happening.

One resident on video allegedly tried to calm the crowds down by shouting 'please everybody give a little bit of respect to people here, please lads, come on'. As officials tried to move up and down the road, however, crowds continued to follow and surround them.

As they were being followed by crowds, Mohammed Tariq, a Senior Trading Standards Officer, said: "As you can see we tried to engage with them, we are here to support what they are doing but they have got to do it legally.

"You cannot just set up stalls on the public highway and do this, we can just hear all the reactions in the background now, obviously they are not taking any of our advice or anything like that."

The interview was cut short as crowds began to shout too loud.

Although the operation was meant to last until 'early hours of Sunday', officials had to flee into Morrison's Car Park after crowds became too hostile. Crowds cheered as officials jumped into cars and drove away, but not before kicking vehicles as they exited the car park.

As an officer tried to enter a police van, members of the crowd tried to open the van door again. Prior to the operation, Sergeant James Newton, Supervisor for Small Heath and Highgate, said: "The purpose is to enforce legislation around illegal pop-up trading tents, nuisance, anti-social behaviour and general increase. We have seen a marked increase of dissatisfaction from the local community about illegal trading, which creates heavy foot flow in the area and has a direct impact on the local community.

"The ultimate goal is to reassure the public, we are here responding to complaints from residents, so it is only right that they see a visible presence. The issue runs much deeper than turning up and solving the problem in 20 minutes, it is more deep-rooted than turning up and moving people along.

"It's something that needs regulating on a longer-term period. There is going to be an increased police presence over the next seven days."

When asked if they wanted to shut the markets down, Tony Quigley, head of services for Birmingham Trading Standards, responded: "It's not about that, the local community are saying it is just getting too much now.

"We get it is a holy month and that people want to enjoy themselves, but it doesn't stop the fact that people are operating illegally. The goal today is to engage with street traders, explain what the issues are find out if they are operating illegally."

Officers' announcement stated the visits would 'continue at other times up to and including Chand Raat-the night before Eid, which this year will be either 21 or 22 April.' It is unknown if the operation will continue after last night.