Anger and despair have swept Sutton Coldfield after a group of youths was caught on camera laughing while kicking the heads off flowers in a town centre display. The incident happened in The Parade last Friday (July 24) shortly after 7pm, when four boys were filmed destroying what are believed to be orange and yellow marigolds.
A local resident, who asked not to be named, said the boys were part of a larger group—possibly as many as 12—who had earlier been kicking bus shelters on Lower Parade. The witness filmed the destruction and called police, describing how the group also threw mud, stones and plants at passing buses.
Witness: 'It was not pleasant to watch'
The witness told BirminghamLive: "I reckon there were as many as 12, so maybe two groups who were first trying to wreck bus shelters, even though there were people in them waiting for buses. It was not pleasant to watch. And happened at 7.07pm on Friday."
He added that when a gentleman asked them to stop, the youths abused him and started making running jumps at the shelter. The mess on the road was evident, with mud, stones and plants thrown across the carriageway at buses. After they moved on to the flower beds, police were called. Officers arrived within minutes, and the situation seemed to fizzle out after they spoke to one or two of the youths.
Police identify suspects in flowerbed criminal damage
West Midlands Police confirmed they are investigating the damage to a number of flower beds in the town centre. A spokeswoman said: "We're investigating after a number of flower beds were damaged in Sutton Coldfield Town Centre last Friday (24 July). We have identified several suspects, and they have been spoken to as our investigation continues."
The witness also observed around eight of the group board the Number 5 bus towards New Oscott, Kingstanding, and on to West Bromwich after the incident.
'There is NO excuse' - readers demand the boys replant flowers
The footage sparked a heavy reaction on BirminghamLive's Facebook page. Nikki Bailey's proposal was among the most popular: "Community service to replant new flowers that their parents have to pay for."
Davina Hickman was equally firm: "There are plenty of activities put on for kids and quite a lot are free at this time of year. There is NO excuse. And....where exactly do their parents think they are?"
Phil Hale said simply: "Send the parents the bill for the plants." Hazel Baillie agreed: "Community service to replant every flower, might not be so funny then!"
However, Evanjelina Dju argued the root cause may be boredom and a lack of opportunities. She said: "This is what boredom looks like, no affordable sport or leisure centres. Something to keep their minds occupied, no volunteering opportunities, nothing. Parents busy working to provide roof over their heads while kids go feral. Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending them, not at all, but the roots of this behaviour are deeper than what we see here."
Calls for arrests, national service and village stocks
Richard Stratton questioned why the youths were not arrested and charged. He said: "We don't have to carry on putting up with this, this is criminal damage. This is what we pay our council tax for. Why were they not arrested and charged with damage and taken to court? The court could order the parents to pay for repairs and new flowers. Why did the police just speak to them and then drive off where's the law."
David Leigh harked back to a time of more visible policing: "Where is the bobby on the beat to give them a clip round the ear?" Adam King added: "Back in my day you'd have gone to the station and your parents would have to come and fetch you."
Other suggestions ranged from national service to old-fashioned punishment. Mark Hodkin said: "National service would be far better." Glynis Duggan wanted "at least six months community service," while Christine Thomas suggested: "Send them to the farm to pick fruit or veg by hand for school holidays!!" Edward Loughran joked they should be made to eat the flowers. Keith Hamilton proposed village stocks: "No ongoing maintenance costs. Cheap to install, recreational value, 'come and see the morons'."
Schools and society in the spotlight
Freshta Amiri argued that schools should take a role in tackling antisocial behaviour. She said: "Nowadays teenagers become a source of stress to our society. I don't know why? They ride ridiculously, the e-bikes and scooters and put people in danger, shoplifting just becomes their daily entertainment and other anti-social behaviours. I think kindness and good manners must be added to school curriculum, as their parents are extremely busy to teach them these topics!"
Nicholas Davies offered a philosophical take, saying the destruction reflected a wider loss of "spirit, morality and appreciation of beauty" and calling for society to lead by example. Others were less sympathetic: Russell Fenton said "some kids are just feral," while Neil Ridehalgh mocked the vandals: "Those boy look so hard the way they kick the flowers."
The incident has left residents demanding action, with many insisting the parents must be held accountable and the flowerbed repaired at their expense.
