Idris Harris, the 60-year-old owner of Al-Qamar restaurant in Balsall Heath, rushed to defend a pregnant woman who was struck with a big stick outside his venue on the night of July 14. The grandfather, who had celebrated his birthday just days earlier, saw a commotion on Vincent Street and sprang into action alongside a customer named Eric.
Attack and Immediate Response
Harris, originally from Erdington, was cooking for a birthday party at his restaurant, which serves Mediterranean, Asian, and Caribbean cuisine, when he noticed the disturbance. The lone woman was walking home from the supermarket when a random man hit her elbow with a big stick, causing a serious arm injury. Harris said, 'It was instincts to protect my guests and the general public, a lady on her own.'
He ran over, grabbed the stick from the assailant, and pushed him against a wall. A customer named Eric assisted in disarming the man. However, the situation escalated when another man approached from a nearby pub, The Clock, and confronted the attacker. The assailant then pulled out a long sock containing an 18-to-20-inch knife, shocking Harris and others.
Knife Threat and Escape
Harris recalled, 'The guy pulled out a big sock and out of it came a 18 to 20-inch knife. I was shocked, my instinct was to protect myself because what am I going to do against a knife?' The man from the pub then ran into Al-Qamar and grabbed another knife. A tense standoff ensued before the attacker fled into a park.
Emergency services arrived minutes later. The pregnant woman suffered a serious arm injury and was initially reluctant to seek medical help, but staff and customers persuaded her to go to hospital. Harris emphasized, 'We've never had any issues here, nearly going on ten years now.'
Police Investigation and Community Impact
West Midlands Police were called at 9.55pm on July 14 to Vincent Street, Sparkbrook. A spokesperson said, 'The woman sustained a serious arm injury and was taken to hospital. Members of the public who attempted to intervene were also threatened with a knife. We are reviewing CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses.' Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log 6300 of 14 July.
Harris remains vigilant but proud of his actions: 'I don't think it's a praiseworthy thing. If you're in my restaurant, or even near me and I see something wrong, I will stand in and stand up for whatever it is.' Al-Qamar is located at 51 Vincent Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham.
