Police charge 19 youths after 'intolerable' firework disorder in Birmingham

Footage of the disorder

Police have charged 19 youths after 'intolerable' firework disorder in Birmingham on Wednesday night

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Sophie Little

By Sophie Little


Published: 07/11/2025

- 01:29

Rioters as young as 14 have been charged after 'violent disorder' broke out

Police have charged 19 youths after "intolerable" firework disorder in Birmingham on Wednesday night.

All of those charged were aged between 14 and 25, with accusations including public order offences and assaulting police.


West Midlands Police confirmed that members of the public and officers were subject to targeted attacks by people armed with fireworks.

Originally, more than 20 people were arrested after violent disorder broke out in the Dale End area of the city, then Staniforth Street later on.

Footage of the disorder was live-streamed across social media.

A Section 60 order was put in place by police, giving officers extra powers to stop and search through the night.

As a result, multiple proactive arrests were made and weapons and fireworks were seized.

WMP Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Williams vowed: "Behaviour like this will not be tolerated, and those responsible for disorder will be dealt with accordingly."

Footage of the disorder

PICTURED: A hooded individual strides down the street while launching fireworks towards others

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Footage of the disorder

PICTURED: Police vans were targeted by fireworks in central Birmingham

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Much of the footage showed disorder taking place in front of Staniforth House, a Unite Students accommodation building just 300 metres from Birmingham Children's Hospital.

According to its website, Staniforth House is home to 586 students and provides rooms from £139-a-week.

All the youths charged after the disorder have been bailed and are due to appear before magistrates on November 20.

But Birmingham was not the only city in the UK to see disruption on Bonfire Night.

Footage of the unrestPICTURED: Police arrived on the scene as fireworks continued to go off and people fled | X
Footage of the disorderFireworks could be seen shooting down the street as people ran through the road | TIKTOK

A 14-year-old boy was arrested in Liverpool on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

Emergency services were called to Knowsley Heights on Primrose Drive after a fire broke out on a third-floor balcony and reports emerged of youths directing fireworks toward the building.

While police and firefighters were on the scene, they were also subject to targeted attacks, and one female officer was left with a minor injury to her leg.

Chief Inspector Kevin Chatterton said: "We will not tolerate this type of disgraceful behaviour, particularly when it involves emergency services staff being targeted in such a way.

"It is only be sheer good fortune that nobody was seriously injured.

"Officers were quickly at the scene and spoke to a number of youths and parents to advise them about their behaviour."

Fire at Knowsley HeightsMerseyside Fire and Rescue crews discovered a blaze on the balcony of a third-floor flat | TIKTOK

A further two people were arrested in Scotland on Wednesday night after the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service recorded two attacks against its personnel.

In addition, 25 dispersal orders were issued in Edinburgh where officers were called to reports of anti-social behaviour and youths throwing fireworks within the Calder Road and Sighthill Park areas at around 5.30pm.

One man suffered a minor injury to his shoulder after a firework smashed the rear window of the vehicle he was travelling.

Another 20 dispersal orders were issued in Glasgow.

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