Concert terror attack: Police cut short Birmingham vigil as armed man arrested
A candle-lit vigil in Birmingham in memory of those killed in the Manchester Arena bomb attack was cut short tonight after an armed man was detained nearby.
The man shouted out as he was handcuffed and led away by West Midlands Police officers, just a short distance from where 1,000 people had gathered in the city's main Victoria Square.
As he was taken away in a riot van in Edmund Street, which runs behind Birmingham's Council House, a police sergeant could be seen carrying away what appeared to be a bat and a hatchet.
The 39-year-old Birmingham man – who is known to police and is thought to have a history of mental ill-health - was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.
Superintendent Andy Parsons, responsible for policing in the west of Birmingham, said: “Officers spotted the man acting suspiciously and spoke to him. At this point they have arrested him.
“The man was carrying a bag, and as a precaution, Victoria Square where the vigil was being held was cleared for around 15 minutes.
“A small axe was recovered along with a large stick.
“We will be interviewing the man to understand his intentions after mental health experts have assessed his condition.
“I’d like to thank people for the calm and collected way in which they responded to the incident. The professionalism of our officers who responded to the incident is also commendable and indicative of British policing.”
Speakers who had been paying tribute to the Manchester victims were interrupted by the man's loud protests, from down a side street.
Police, including armed response officers, then cleared the square a short time later.
The force's chief constable David Thompson - who had been attending the vigil in an official capacity - witnessed some of the incident.
He confirmed the evacuation of the square, in front of the Council House, had been a precaution.
The man, who was black and had a short-trimmed bread, was stopped just two hundred yards from the packed square at about 7pm, where mourners had earlier been lighting candles.
It took several officers to restrain the man, who was then dragged away along the street, before he was placed in the back of the police van with his head bowed.
The man was initially stopped at a police cordon at the corner of Chamberlain Square, near a side entrance to the local authority building.
Several civic dignitaries including West Midlands Metro Mayor Andy Street, and the police and crime commissioner David Jamieson, had been attending the vigil.
Also present were city politicians Jess Phillips, Jack Dromey and city council leader John Clancy.
The Express & Star's Carl Jackson was at the vigil:
Earlier West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said Birmingham and Manchester 'stand together', with the victims having the region's unwavering support.
He said: "This evening I will be attending the Stand With Manchester vigil in Victoria Square in Birmingham.
"It is the opportunity for our community across the West Midlands to stand together in solidarity after the events last night.
"Birmingham and Manchester - two of England’s great cities - have so much in common and we will demonstrate our unwavering support.
"We should also reflect on the heroic job our emergency services have done once again. They deserve all the appreciation we can show them."
He also confirmed that he had liaised with West Midlands Police regarding security in the city and wider region.
Meanwhile firefighters from across the West Midlands were due to pay their respects with a minute's silence outside fire stations across the region.
There will also be a vigil at 7pm at the top bandstand in Cannock town centre, as a mark of respect following the Manchester Bombing.
The vigil will be led by Chairman of Cannock Chase Council, Zaphne Stretton, while members of the local clergy will also be in attendance.
Music festivals have also shown solidarity with Download Festival in Donington Park, Leicestershire, and Reading and Leeds Festival confirming they will go ahead as planned later this year.
