Two Birmingham waste collectors were injured after an attack by a group of men on a street corner in Sparkbrook. The incident occurred on Stoney Road at around 8.45am on Friday, July 10, when locals claimed an altercation broke out after city council binmen refused to empty an extra bin.
Details of the assault
According to witnesses, one binman was allegedly pinned to the ground by a group of up to six men. An onlooker told BirminghamLive: "A group of men started a fight on a binman who wouldn't take their extra bin. It then escalated where there were six of them attacking him and pinning him to the ground." Images captured by a local showed residents remonstrating with bin collectors, with one local dumping rubbish into the back of a waste cart himself. The scene later escalated into violence.
Council response
Birmingham City Council denounced the attack and stated it "would not tolerate any instance of our staff being physically or verbally abused." A council spokesperson said: "We are aware of the incident which occurred on July 10 and will be working with the police in their investigation. We do not tolerate any instance of our staff being physically or verbally abused and will pursue perpetrators of violence. The council is supporting all staff involved and their families during this time. As this matter is now with West Midlands Police, it would be inappropriate to comment further."
Police investigation
West Midlands Police are investigating the assault. A police spokesperson added: "We’re investigating after two men were assaulted on Stoney Road, Birmingham at around 8.45am on 10 July. It’s thought the men, who are not believed to have suffered serious injuries, were assaulted by a group of men. Officers are carrying out enquiries including reviewing video footage." No arrests have been made, and police have appealed for information. Anyone with footage or information is asked to contact police on 101 or via Live Chat on their website, quoting log 1170 of 10 July.
