heaven above
06-08-2004, 06:30 PM
City poll riot Jun 8 2004
By David Bell and Mark Cowan, Evening Mail
Hundreds of people clashed in a fierce street battle as inner city election fever erupted into violence in Birmingham.
More than 200 campaigners from rival political parties went toe to toe in the Small Heath brawl, sparked by a row over the controversial use of postal votes.
The pitched battle between Labour and People's Justice Party supporters was ignited by the appearance of a postman with a bag.
“Some people tried to get the votes off him and were pinching them out of letterboxes – then all hell broke loose,” said an eyewitness.
Did you see the riot? Did you take pictures of it? Contact us at icfeedback@mrn.co.uk
“People were rushing out of their homes to join in the fight. Thugs and gangsters are targeting the postmen every day. Everything is getting out of control.”
Police today called for calm in the Bordesley Green ward which has chalked up a city record with the highest number of postal votes ever recorded – 8,500 out of a voting population of around 18,000.
The Somerville Road flashpoint came amid widespread reports of fraud and blank votes being collected by bogus door-to-door canvassers, and even being bought for £3 a time.
Police are investigating cases of approaches being made to postmen, one of whom was offered £500 for the contents of his sack bulging with blank votes.
In another incident, a street postbox filled with hundreds of votes has been set alight in Washwood Heath, a ward which has contributed 5,600 of the record 70,000 postal votes for Thursday’s local elections.
Officers were today meeting community leaders to avoid a repeat of yesterday evening’s trouble.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It started at about 7pm on Somerville Road. It was supporters of the PJP and the Labour party who were arguing.
“It then moved down the road and the fighting actually happened in Dora Road.”
Another neighbour, who also did not wish to be named, said: “It quickly spread down the road. You don’t expect this kind of thing with politics.”
A police spokesman confirmed today: “A large number of officers were deployed to deal with scenes of public disorder involving around 200 people in Somerville Road last night.
“Order was restored very quickly. One woman has been arrested for assault.
“Officers remained in the area throughout the evening. The incident is being investigated.”
Election forum
By David Bell and Mark Cowan, Evening Mail
Hundreds of people clashed in a fierce street battle as inner city election fever erupted into violence in Birmingham.
More than 200 campaigners from rival political parties went toe to toe in the Small Heath brawl, sparked by a row over the controversial use of postal votes.
The pitched battle between Labour and People's Justice Party supporters was ignited by the appearance of a postman with a bag.
“Some people tried to get the votes off him and were pinching them out of letterboxes – then all hell broke loose,” said an eyewitness.
Did you see the riot? Did you take pictures of it? Contact us at icfeedback@mrn.co.uk
“People were rushing out of their homes to join in the fight. Thugs and gangsters are targeting the postmen every day. Everything is getting out of control.”
Police today called for calm in the Bordesley Green ward which has chalked up a city record with the highest number of postal votes ever recorded – 8,500 out of a voting population of around 18,000.
The Somerville Road flashpoint came amid widespread reports of fraud and blank votes being collected by bogus door-to-door canvassers, and even being bought for £3 a time.
Police are investigating cases of approaches being made to postmen, one of whom was offered £500 for the contents of his sack bulging with blank votes.
In another incident, a street postbox filled with hundreds of votes has been set alight in Washwood Heath, a ward which has contributed 5,600 of the record 70,000 postal votes for Thursday’s local elections.
Officers were today meeting community leaders to avoid a repeat of yesterday evening’s trouble.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It started at about 7pm on Somerville Road. It was supporters of the PJP and the Labour party who were arguing.
“It then moved down the road and the fighting actually happened in Dora Road.”
Another neighbour, who also did not wish to be named, said: “It quickly spread down the road. You don’t expect this kind of thing with politics.”
A police spokesman confirmed today: “A large number of officers were deployed to deal with scenes of public disorder involving around 200 people in Somerville Road last night.
“Order was restored very quickly. One woman has been arrested for assault.
“Officers remained in the area throughout the evening. The incident is being investigated.”
Election forum