Yobs fire fireworks at police and shoppers in Birmingham 'warzone' on Halloween as seven are arrested, including a boy of 15

West Midlands Police activated Section 60 stop-and-search powers into the early hours of Sunday after groups of youths turned Birmingham's Stephenson Street and Corporation Street into a fireworks battlefield. Rockets streaked down New Street, detonating above the heads of shoppers, while large pyrotechnics were aimed directly at police riot vans in open defiance of officers.

The seven people arrested — aged 15 to 26 — face charges including assault, possession of fireworks and possession of an offensive weapon, and all remained in custody.

'It was mayhem — I would be amazed if nobody was injured,' one onlooker said, describing fireworks going off inches from members of the public as they stood on the street.

A witness heading to Grand Central station said security guards locked the doors during the panic, heightening the terror for those trying to flee.