Moment mindless yob shoots firework ‘rocket launcher’ at Birmingham bus

A reckless hooded figure has been caught shooting fireworks at a double-decker bus in scenes compared to Star Wars.

The bus had stopped at a set of traffic lights when it came under fire in Birmingham City Centre on the weekend.

Police are investigating after at least 40 fireworks were dangerously shot by a mindless youth before the driver escaped down the street.

Many of the fireworks exploded on the side of the packed vehicle.

This is not the first time fireworks have been used this way in Birmingham as on Halloween night in 2020, thugs fired them at random cars.

A few days later on Guy Fawkes night, another alarming video showed fireworks being shot and hitting civilians by someone in a car.

In the same year, a police officer was seen jumping out of his car seconds before a firework went off in Grimesthorpe, Sheffield.

West Midlands Police are investigating and reviewing the bus vs fireworks footage which has gone viral on social media after being shared by the Birmz Is Grime blog.

One web user commented: ‘How can you get away with walking the streets with what is effectively a firework rocket launcher? Looks like something from Star Wars man.’

Another added: ‘Should be classed as a firearm, ridiculous’ while a third put: ‘RPG Fireworks in Brum.’

One said: ‘I hope nobody was hurt, can you imagine being sat on that bus.’

Many people reacting to this video have suggested changes in who can buy fireworks.

One Facebook user commented: ‘This is why fireworks should be banned for sale to the general public & official licensed users to hold fireworks displays only.’

Another posted: ‘I have been arguing for decades that public sales needs to be banned, and use needs to be strictly licensed – the content of this video is just one of the reasons.’

The police said there had been a number of fireworks-related incidents in the city centre since Halloween night, with ten people aged between 13 and 23 arrested.

One 18-year-old man has since been charged with threatening behaviour and assaulting a police officer after fireworks were also launched at cops.

Mohammed Zerfa, from Birmingham, was remanded in custody and is set to appear before the city’s magistrates court today.

Seven others have been bailed with conditions not to enter the city centre while inquiries continue.

A police spokesperson said: ‘We responded to pockets of disorder in and around the New Street area from around 9pm on Friday.

‘A number of fireworks were dangerously released as some of our officers also faced attack as they intervened.

‘There were also fireworks launched by a group towards buildings, officers and each other in Bagot Street from about 2.15am on Saturday morning.

‘We’re continuing to review footage and gather information in connection with the various pockets of disorder.

‘A 17-year-old boy is due to be questioned in due course and another teen was dealt with by way of community resolution.’

Police have said that in this incident, no one was injured.

The spokesperson continued: ‘We won’t tolerate such appalling actions and we’ll continue to have a visible police presence in and around the city centre.

‘We want to be clear; anyone who is involved in such irresponsible behaviour risks being arrested.

‘We’re focused on ensuring the city centre remains a safe place for residents, visitors and those who work in the area.’

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