Two men die after two nights of violence in Lozells

Two men have died after two nights of violence in the Lozells and Handsworth area of Birmingham, sparked by an unsubstantiated rumour that spread rapidly through the community.

The disturbances took place on the nights of Saturday 22 October and Sunday 23 October. Police recorded around 80 offences on the Saturday night alone.

A rumour that has not been substantiated

Tensions had been building for days over an allegation that a teenage girl had been sexually assaulted by a group of men at a shop in the area. The allegation was discussed on local pirate radio stations, a picket was set up outside the shop, and there were calls to boycott other Asian-owned businesses.

The shop owner has denied that the incident ever happened, and has blamed business rivals for starting the rumour. Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward, and have said that the girl's immigration status would not be an issue while the allegation was investigated. No victim or witness has come forward, and the allegation has not been substantiated.

How the violence began

A public meeting was held on the Saturday at the New Testament Church of God. Violence broke out as it ended at around 5.45pm, and gangs of men fought running battles in the streets.

At around 7.15pm, 23-year-old Isaiah Young-Sam was fatally stabbed. He had not been at the meeting or involved in the disorder: he had been at a cinema in the city centre with friends, and was walking home after his bus was diverted because of the trouble.

Rioting continued to a lesser extent on the Sunday night. A second man, 18-year-old Aaron James, also died in connection with the disturbances. Police believe between 30 and 50 people were involved in the most serious incidents.

Background

Lozells has large Pakistani and Caribbean communities. Reports suggest the tensions are largely rooted in local economic rivalry, combined with possible agitation by criminal gangs.

The area has a history of unrest, with serious disturbances in Handsworth in 1981, 1985 and 1991.

Calls for calm

A police investigation into both deaths and the wider disorder is under way.

Tensions between minority communities in Britain were explored in a 2004 documentary by the writer and broadcaster Darcus Howe, which looked at mutual prejudice between Caribbean, Asian and African communities.

Websites that carried inflammatory comments about the allegation have since removed material and apologised.

The girl at the centre of the rumour has not been identified.