Arrest after alleged hate crime before Pride

Birmingham police say attacks on three men ahead of the city's Pride celebrations are being treated as a hate crime.

A 23-year-old man was arrested on Friday following reports of attacks on “several people” at a pub in Hurst Street, near the Arcadian, police said.

The individual left the scene but was arrested in the city around 7:00 p.m. BST on suspicion of wounding and assault, officers added.

Inspector Richard Evans said: “We will not tolerate hate crime in our city. »

West Midlands Police said three men, aged 30, 31 and 34, were allegedly assaulted and suffered injuries which were not believed to be serious.

Mr Evans said people should be able to visit Birmingham “without fear of being subjected to violence or threats”.

The Birmingham Pride police operation was planned months in advance, he added, to ensure “a highly visible presence” involving firearms teams, traffic officers, drones and sniffer dogs.

“We take hate crimes very seriously and encourage people to come forward if they have been the victim of a hate crime,” Mr Evans said.

He encouraged victims to report incidents to police or go to third-party reporting center The Loft.

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