Westside BID has been speaking to the media about violence and police patrols in the wake of an investigation into a death after a fight in the district.
Matthew Carroll suffered fatal head injuries outside All Bar One in Brindleyplace, just off Broad Street, shortly after 1.30am on Sunday, August 29. The 50-year-old, fondly known as Matty, was taken to hospital but died a few hours later.
A man called Matthew Mahony (33) of Stone Road, Edgbaston appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Friday 3 September charged with Mr Carroll’s manslaughter. He was remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court in October.
Interviewed by BirminghamLive, the online sister of the Birmingham Mail, Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, discussed the overall subject of recent violent incidents late at night in Birmingham city centre.
Mr Olley said they were “isolated” incidents and the biggest issue was the volume of people coming into the city after restrictions eased.
He said: “These nasty incidents are few and far between, and the perpetrator is always tracked down. You can’t get away with doing anything stupid in our city centre.
“If something starts to become ugly, the best thing to do is move away from it and report it. Our wardens, the police and other staff like Brindleyplace security know what they’re doing.”
He added: “Let’s just be nice and kind when we go out.”
The full interview by BirminghamLive can be read here: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/nightlife-boss-urges-revellers-be-21478834
In another interview with BBC Online, Mr Olley welcomed a boost in local patrols.
He said: “An enhanced police presence is always welcome. More people are out and about than we usually have at this time of year. No one’s going to Ibiza, so they’re all coming to Broad Street.”
Mr Olley explained that more people on nights out inevitably leads to the risk of more violence, but added the risk was “manageable”. The full story by BBC Online can be read here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-58412747
By Steve Dyson
