Birmingham City - Aston Villa - 30/10/2016Source : Mirror
The West Midlands Police took to the air in order to monitor potential flashpoints ahead of yesterday's Second City derbyWest Midlands Police used drones to monitor hooligans and identify trouble spots for yesterday's Second City derby.
Birmingham City and Aston Villa played out a 1-1 draw at St Andrew's on Sunday afternoon and local police sent a drone to the skies for the first time in order to assist with their match day operations.
Aviation rules prohibited the device from flying above St Andrew's stadium and it was not allowed to get too close to residential properties, but it was able to inspect areas that were known flashpoints from heights of 400ft.
The two local rivals were meeting for the first time in the league for five years, following Villa's relegation to the Championship last season.
A total of 14 supporters were arrested on Sunday afternoon for a variety of offensives, with the West Yorkshire Police did not disclose how many of these were related to the drone operatation.
The move was part of a wider operation which included "Section 60" stop and search measures.
Camera footage from the drone was relayed back to a police command room and high-definition images were saved to a memory card on the device.
The force have said they will review footage "to take action against those involved in crime who haven't been arrested today".
On the pitch, the home side rescued a point when Blues midfielder David Davis drilled home in the second half to level the scores after Gary Gardner's headed opener.
The stalemate sees Birmingham sitting one place below the playoff spots, while Villa moved up to 15th in the Championship.
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Source : http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/
Police arrest 14 football fans after second city derbyWest Midlands Police have confirmed that 14 football fans have been arrested following the second city derby between Birmingham City and Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
The arrests were for a range of offences including violent disorder, pitch encroachment and affray but police have said that the game, which finished 1-1, passed off without any major disorder.
An investigation has been launched by the police after flares were thrown inside the ground.
A police statement read: "Our robust policing operation saw a highly visible presence of officers in and around the ground to ensure the safety of the public and fans.
"Raids linked to suspected football-related drugs offences were carried out pre-match at three addresses and a 22-year-old man from Tile Cross was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis.
"The restricted away fan ticket allocation and the non-sale of alcohol inside the away stand were amongst measures put in place and there was little cross-over between the two sets of fans before and after the game which helped to prevent any confrontations."
The force earlier confirmed they had deployed controversial 'Section 60 powers' before, during and after the game.
The powers, that allow police to stop and search anyone for weapons without reasonable grounds for suspicion , have been criticised by civil liberties groups and the football suppoters' federation in the past.
Match commander, Chief Inspector Nick Rowe, said: "There has been a lot of planning in preparation for this fixture and we are pleased the majority of supporters were able to enjoy the game in a safe environment.
"Overall there was a fantastic atmosphere with two sets of great fans, the majority of fans embraced the feel-good factor of the day and were well-behaved.
“It was disappointing to have some disorder but we were able to react quickly and make arrests."
“We will review camera footage from this fixture and will undoubtedly take action against those involved in crime who haven’t been arrested today."
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Source : http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/
Yenton pub brawl probe continues after man knocked unconsciousPolice are continuing to investigate a brawl that broke out inside an Erdington pub after the second city derby between Blues and Villa.
One man was knocked unconscious and a second man suffered a head injury at The Yenton pub, in Sutton Road, just before 4pm on Sunday afternoon.
There had been claims on social media that trouble had broken out between rival fans, but West Midlands Police said the incident was currently being treated as an assault that was not football related.
A spokeswoman said investigations are ongoing and no arrests have yet been made.
West Midlands Ambulance Service received five calls about the incident at 3.57pm.
A spokeswoman said: “We received calls about a large fight at The Yenton pub in Erdington and sent two ambulances to the scene.
“A 30-year-old gentleman suffered facial injuries and is thought to have been knocked unconscious. He was taken to Good Hope Hospital.
“A second patient, a 26-year-old male, suffered a head injury and was taken to Good Hope Hospital.”
Police confirmed that eyewitnesses had claimed that a knife was brandished during the disorder.
A Villa fan who was inside the pub when trouble broke out said the brawl had ruined the day for him and many of the fans inside.
The fan, who did not want to be named, said: “I was at the bar getting drinks when I heard a lot of shouting behind me. I looked back and could see a lot of pushing and shoving.
“I have no idea who was involved, or what it was about, but there were kids inside when this happened.
“We were kept inside and told by the bouncers that we could not leave.
“I didn’t see a knife myself, but we heard that somebody had pulled one out.”
A spokesman added: “Police were called to the Yenton Pub on Sutton Road at 3.55pm on Sunday October 30.
“A brawl had broken out inside after a man was punched. No weapons were used although witnesses told officers at the scene they saw a knife being brandished.
“No arrests were made at the time and the victim has not made an official complaint to police.”
Today at 12:55 pm by UFW Maltchickers
