Police back officer who acted 'reasonably' in Broad Street fight response

West Midlands Police has backed an officer it found had acted reasonably and proportionately with force when responding to a fight in Birmingham city centre. Police were called to Broad Street at 1:30am on Sunday June 21 after trouble broke out involving five men. As the incident was being dealt with and the group dispersed, an officer was punched.

A 20-year-old man was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer. The force said it was aware of footage showing the arrest of the man following the disorder. "Officers who were in the area attended and found a group of five men fighting. As the incident was being dealt with and the group dispersed an officer was punched," West Midlands Police stated.

The 20-year-old has been charged with assaulting a police officer and has been bailed to appear at Magistrates Court on July 23.

In response to the incident, West Midlands Police conducted a review. "In accordance with our commitment to transparency and accountability the incident has been reviewed and we have no concerns over the officer's actions and we are satisfied that they were reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances," the force said.

The decision to back the officer comes as the force emphasises its commitment to both transparency and accountability in its operations. The review found no grounds for concern regarding how the officer responded during the confrontation on Broad Street in the early hours of Sunday morning. The force's support for the officer's actions demonstrates its assessment that the response was appropriate given the circumstances of the incident.