Business leader demands more police patrols after assault in Birmingham
One of Birmingham’s best-known grassroots business leaders has demanded more police patrols after suffering a violent assault by an aggressive beggar.
Julia Robinson (pictured), general manager of the Southside Business Improvement District (BID), was attacked in broad daylight in the city centre at around 4pm on Sunday 2 February.
She had been at the Chinese New Year celebrations when a man approached her and asked for money outside of Paddy Power on Hippodrome Square.
When Ms Robinson reminded the man that it was against the law to beg, he is alleged to have spat in her face and, when she then tried to detain him, he threw her against the wall and onto the floor.
The assault was then said to have continued for “four long minutes” before security arrived.
West Midlands Police arrested a man after the alleged attack, and he has been bailed pending the results of an investigation.
Ms Robinson, who was off sick for a month after the attack, explained how she had been left with an injured hand, was badly bruised all over, and was still awaiting blood test results for potential diseases like HIV or Hepatitis B/C.
Now, she is calling on West Midlands Police to have more officers patrolling the city centre, as she said the lack of police presence was one of the reasons such assaults were increasing.
Ms Robinson said: “I had been enjoying what were marvellous Chinese New Year celebrations until a man approached me and asked for money.
“When I reminded him it was against the law to beg he spat in my face, his saliva going all over my eyes, into my nose and mouth, which was disgusting.
“I grabbed his arm while our security team and police were called, but he didn’t like that and started to throw me around, violently flinging me against the wall and then the floor.
“The attack continued for four long minutes and I thought I was going to come to real harm, but there was no way I was going to let go, as I wanted to make sure he was arrested for what he’d done.
“I was completely knocked off my feet by this attack, which represents the kind of challenge that me and the BID’s street wardens regularly have to put up with.
“Police responded relatively quickly this time, as they were participating in the Chinese New Year event, but on normal days we can wait much longer for a response.”
Ms Robinson said that levels of aggressive begging were a growing problem for Southside BID, which supports more than 330 businesses in and around Birmingham’s Chinatown and Gay Village.
She said a similar attack had happened in recent weeks involving another beggar spitting at employee of The Dragon Inn, the Wetherspoon’s bar in The Arcadian, off Hurst Street.
Ms Robinson added: “The state of our streets is worsening, attacks like these are increasing and I firmly believe that a lack of police visibility in the city centre is one of the causes.
“West Midlands Police should urgently consider increasing patrols in the city centre to make it safer for me and my staff, our business members and the general public.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "We were called to reports of an assault in Hippodrome Square, Birmingham, at around 4pm on 2 February.
"Officers arrested a man on suspicion of assault. He was bailed pending further inquiries into the investigation.
"We understand the concern in the community following the assault and safety of the public. Officers from the city centre neighbourhood team carry out regular patrols in the area.
"If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to speak with our officers. Alternatively, you can contact us via Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101."
