Birmingham riot

[hunkerpumpkin]

What is wrong with people?

another death last night. 18 yr old.

This is really worrying me, it's not that far from me really. The thought of a 14yr old being raped by at least 12 men .

where are you whimsy?

Great Barr. Saw them protesting last Tuesdayon the way back from town, then heard about the girl.
I can understand why people are angry, but she should go to the police. How are they meant to help her otherwise

When Shaw is reported as saying 'there is not a shred of evidence to support the allegations', does that mean the rape incident or the immigration status?

The whole thing sounds terribly confused and confusing. And horrific.

im from great barr! saw all the crowds last week also on my way home from work.

I've just heard that on the news, I think they mean the rape, but why would anyone make up such an horrific story?

Soooo glad we moved from the city to a quite rural village. The biggest crime we have had here in the last two years was when some older kids set the post box on fire when they were messing about with fire crackers!!

I left home at the age of 17 and lived right in the middle of Handsworth, much to my families distress. I loved it. The whole atmosphere there was one of unity amongst the community, whether you were black, white, yellow or pink with green spots everyone got along. So sad that 20 years on things have changed so much.

Blu, a friend of mine whose partner works for the police said that apparently, the girl had stolen something from the shop, when the shop owner/worker caught her she begged him not to tell the police as she was an illegal immigrant and feared getting deported, she then apparently said that they could come to some kind of "agreement" and consented to sex with two men.

what happened after that is where all the rumours are flying from.

I grew up in Handsworth - how did I know when I saw this thread that it would be there? (not seen it in the news, coz I'm in Oz now)

tiredemma- small world

It's scarey that it's just down the road.

Crossed posts with you Jayzmummy - there were riots there 20 years ago - seems more like nothing's changed to me!

I do agree with you though, that on the whole, people did a great job of living harmoniously together.

I moved there just after the riots...hence my parents distress that I had chosen to live in the area.
I lived there for 3 years and found all my neighbours to be really friendly and very helpful. I was after all in their eyes still only a kid when I moved there....maybe I was too naive and didnt see the other side IYKWIM.

I was only 11 when the riots happened - my parents saw it on the evening news, and Dad decided to drive our car round to the garage at the back in case the riot travelled a street or two and the car ended up burnt out. Of course, he took a drive to the scene of the riots 'on the way' - got turned away by the police! Don't think my mum was too impressed.

What was the name of the cafe/drug den where the riots started?? The one on the corner....it use to be painted black outside. DH and I are arguing now about the name of the place....so we are having our own little riot here in sleepyville!!!

black cat cafe!!

HA....I was right

so she consented to having sex? Oh dear, where have i heard this before - blackmailed into having sex maybe. Doesn't that constitute rape?

It's all very worrying, alot of my family live in Newtown so are a stones throw from it all.

Oh, Tiredemma - if that is the story it is horrible and chilling.
Blackmailed into rape, indeed.