Man injured in hit-and-run after flags clash

A man's leg was broken in a hit-and-run amid angry scenes in Birmingham which unfolded when a group attached more St George's flags to lamp-posts.

Police said the man in his 30s was hit on Mayfield Road in Stirchley on Thursday night. The driver failed to stop but the vehicle was later recovered and no arrests have yet been made.

Videos on social media show rows between groups of people after men from Raise the Colours arrived on Pershore Road to erect flags - the group's latest visit following confrontations with local residents last year.

The group's Ryan Bridge, who was in Stirchley and features in several of the videos, told the BBC he did not know anything about the road crash.

Officers from West Midlands Police are examining the vehicle and reviewing CCTV footage and social media videos.

Witnesses have been urged to contact the force.

A video sent to the BBC shows men in Raise the Colours-branded sweatshirts arguing with local residents in Pershore Road.

It is understood the injured man was hit shortly afterwards. He was taken to hospital and has had surgery on his shin and a screw put in his leg.

Other videos on social media show angry clashes. Raise the Colours has also posted footage of its visit to Stirchley on its Facebook page, showing confrontations with locals.

Bridge said he was "devastated" by "ultra-left" people taking their flags down but did not comment on the violence.

Local group Stirchley is For Everyone, made up of residents and business owners, said the night of "targeted violence and hospitalisations" marked a "dangerous escalation".

They said they had faced months of "harassment, doxxing, and intimidation" from the group and urged Birmingham Selly Oak MP, Al Carns, to help.

"Despite consistent pleas from the community for intervention, residents feel they have been left to face this far-right aggression alone," a statement said.

Defence minister Carns, who is thought may run for the Labour leadership as a potential successor to Keir Starmer, condemned the violence in a post on X.

"I am seriously concerned by reports of intimidation and violence in Stirchley yesterday and have written to the West Midlands Police to highlight these issues," he wrote.

"The union jack is a symbol of unity, not division, of patriotism, not polarisation. I condemn all attempts to hijack our flag and sow violence in our communities for political gain."

In a letter to the the force's acting chief constable, Scott Green, Carns said his office had heard from "dozens of residents" who had described incidents of harassment, intimidation and physical assault by members of the group.

"One resident told my team that after reporting to an officer that she was being followed by three men shouting abuse, she was told the perpetrator was known to police," Carns wrote.

"I know that cannot have been the full picture, but it left her feeling unsupported."

Carns added his constituents wanted reassurance that the incidents were taken seriously and that Stirchley would "not see a repeat of what has happened".

He also asked whether the police or council could work together on preventative measures, including possible injunctions on unauthorised flag displays.

"My constituents deserve to feel safe in their own neighbourhood and I know that is something we both want," he wrote.

Birmingham City Council said it was aware of the "incident in Stirchley".

"We are continuing to monitor locations across the city where community concerns are being reported and are aware of increased tensions in some areas," a spokesperson for the council said.

"We are working closely with West Midlands Police, supporting their inquiries and any follow-up action that may be required. Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of residents, staff, contractors and the wider community.

"We encourage all residents to act responsibly and respectfully to help maintain calm, reduce the risk of intimidation, and support community cohesion during this period.

"Birmingham is a proud and welcoming city, and we recognise the importance of national flags to many residents," they added.

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