A message from Councillor Waseem Zaffar related to last night’s disturbances in Birmingham and parts of Handsworth:

“Tonight has been and continues to be a difficult night for all associated with Handsworth. The actions of the minority, many not from the local area, has once caused suffering to our community.

I have returned from Soho Road and have witnessed much of the acts of criminality first hand. I have been in contact with senior officers of West Midlands Police throughout the day and will continue to have communication with them over the next few days to ensure that these scenes are not repeated again.

I, like you all, want to see those thugs responsible for these acts of crime prosecuted and punished for their actions. If anyone has any information that can assist the Police in making arrests, please share this with them as soon as possible.

Finally, I understand and appreciate that tonight has been difficult, especially for those that have suffered at the hands of these thugs, but I urge you not to react with any form of violence.

We need to once again pick up the pieces and stand united as one during these most difficult times.”

If you have any information related to the rioting that can help the police to catch the people responsible, you can call CrimeStoppers anonymously.

CRIMESTOPPERS   0800 555 111