Ramadan chaos in Coventry Road

[---RuFfEdGe---]

Ramadan chaos in Coventry Road as police attacked and chased during crackdown on illegal traders
Crowds shouted, swore and shoved police carrying out nightly patrols of 'illegal' pop up markets

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.

Read more:Judge tells showoff Solihull brothers 'you are not the Peaky Blinders' amid family feud

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.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/new...olice-26708886

[Neha.Kulkarni]

#Ramadan #Islam #Quran #Pakistan #Peace
Police attacked during Birmingham Ramadan stalls crackdown
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan...ngham-65293507

Bottles have been thrown at police during an operation to crack down on illegal street market stalls during Ramadan, officers said.
The incident happened at 01:30 BST on Sunday as a large crowd gathered in Small Heath, Birmingham.
Police said the operation alongside trading standards officers followed residents' complaints about roads being blocked and anti-social behaviour.
One officer suffered minor injuries, West Midlands Police said.
Numerous reports of criminal damage are also being investigated, it added, after other missiles were thrown.
The late night market has grown along Coventry Road and Ladypool Road during the holy month of Ramadan as Muslims break their fast at sunset.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/new...after-26621784
Police deploy dispersal order after brawl at market stall on Coventry Road
A dispersal order and extra patrols were deployed following disorder along Coventry Road on Saturday night

YouTube

[jay999]

This was interesting, check this if youve not see it:

YouTube

Their actually arguing in the comment section saying its Arabs or what not...

Mohammed Umar Khan
2 weeks ago
It's mostly our Somalian and Arab brothers and sisters doing it. Ramadan is a time for reflection, Ibaadah and Dua. Look at Ladypool Road, Alum Rock road, Stratford Road the Asian part. It's like a ghost town after Iftar. The people understand the importance of Ramadhan. May Allah guide our Somilian and Arab Muslim brothers and sisters.

KaysDays
2 weeks ago
Bro don’t even lie. You lot celebrate the prophets birthday for a whole week on ladypool road. Like a blocked sim card that road. But cov road mostly Somali/Arab men. And the girls are all Pakistani/Somali/arab. Even the older Pakistani men are there

.

Jeepers Creepers
2 days ago
It's a crying shame, Muslims making life during Ramadhan very hard for local residents. It needs to be controlled and curfew needs to be applied so all Muslims fasting can do so in peace. Council needs to look at this to avoid such inconsiderate behaviour.
The stall holders, I don't know what they are thinking ! To make money at the major inconvenience of others.
It's probably the Arabs and Africans doing this on Coventry Road ... What a poor impression of Ramadhan they give to non-Muslims. Shame !

Jeepers Creepers
1 day ago (edited)
@Holy man 462 I somewhat agree especially around Ladypool Road Pakistani presence is higher and that doesn't mean Somalians are exempt BUT BOTH Somalia Heath (aptly named &#128514 at the start of Stratford Road and start of Coventry Road is visually predominantly higher Somalian presence and of course Indians/Pakistanis/Bengalis and Arabs. As for Alum Trak, well that's gotta be the worst place in Birmingham!
Ultimately they are all mostly MUSLIMs and both parties are part of the community.
They need policing if they don't behave according to human values. Courtesy, respect, keeping within boundary and staying within the law (be it Sharia or UK law) is what they should be doing. No wonder the residents called the police due to blocking roads all night and trading illegal things.
May Allah SWT guide these rogues and troublemakers

#ramadan #ramadanstreetfood #streetfood

#danishvlogsster
#ramadanstreetfoodinbirmingham
#RamadanStreetFoodOnCoventryRoad
#smallheath
#smallheathbirmingham
#stalls
#Birminghamstallsoncoventryroad
#streetfoodinbirmingham
#ramadan2023
#ramzan2023
#mocktails
#coventryroad
#RamadanStreetFoodOnCoventryRoadSmallHeatBirmingha m
#RamadanStreetFoodOnCoventryRoad #CoventryRoadSmallHeath #StallsonCoventryRoadSmallHeath2023
#smallheathstreetfood
#phatjoes
#smashburgers
#smashburger
#burgers #RamadanStreetFoodStallsinSmallheathBirmingham
#EidShopping2023 #EidShoppingatCoventryRoadSmallHeath #EidShoppinginBirmingham2023 #SmallHeathBirmingham