Violence flared last Friday in the predominantly black and Asian area of nanas worn in Dumingham. Rumours had spread round the city for two days that groups of British Movement skinheads were about to invade the area.
The Indian Workers Association advised shop keepers in the area to board up their shops, and issued a leaflet calling for a mass mobilisation to defend the area against racist attacks.
By 9pm on Friday there were 1000 youth on the streets. Superintendant Webb, reknowned in the area and nationally for his pioneering of 'community policing' was singled out for the first atiacte appeared alone on rounded him and found him reluctant to answer their questions. They then placed a bottle on his head.
At 10.30pm the youth started to attack and loo! the shops. Police in full riot gear appeared on the scene me trules later. On the subsequent two evenings police attempted to impose a vir. tual curfew of the area but the youth returned to the streets in force Over 300 youth have been arrested, but all refused bail. There is talk in Birmingham of special emergency detention cen tres being opened to dea with those arrested.
Many of the detained youth appeared in court on Monday morning One of the mothers of ar accused black youth sug gested that Downing target next time.
In another shop the."