Youths attack Merry Hill staff after being banned from shopping centre
Police are set to step up patrols after security staff at Merry Hill were attacked by a group of around 15 youths.
The owners of the shopping centre in Brierley Hill said their security team was attacked last night by young people who had been banned previously from the centre for antisocial behaviour.
Police said they are investigating and appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
A spokesman for intu Merry Hill said: "Last night, our security team was attacked by a group of young people who’d previously been banned from the centre for anti-social behaviour.
"The group was refused access and then turned violent, so West Midlands Police were called to support our officers.
“Our staff should not be subject to this kind of abuse when they come to work. Four members of our team were assaulted for simply doing their job and we will be working with the police to press charges, where possible.
“We have reviewed all of the available evidence and we are confident that our team acted professionally under very difficult circumstances.
"We will continue to assist West Midlands Police with their inquiries and provide all the support we can to our affected team members.”
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We were called to reports of a disorder involving around 15 people in a car park at intu Merry Hill last night.
"Officers attended just after 8.30pm. No one was reported to have suffered any serious injuries and the crowd was dispersed.
"Our investigations continue with CCTV footage from the area being collated and officers on patrol for reassurance.
"Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101. Please quote crime number 20DY/177492E/20."
