Children 'running around with knives' believed to have sparked 50-person brawl in Wolverhampton

Video footage, which police are reviewing, shows what appears to be a young boy wielding a large blade running at a man passing by. The reason for this altercation is unknown.

Later in the clip, in which a resident is screaming "he's got a knife, he's got a knife", a woman also approaches and pushes the man.

Locals say this incident is what sparked a mass brawl on Ruskin Road at around 5pm on Wednesday.

The brawl saw four police officers injured, two police cars and a van damaged and uniforms stolen.

One resident, who wishes to not be named, said: "Once the police came to the incident, they taped the streets and attempted to deal with the situation.

"They then removed the tapes and it seemed like they were going to leave, until the big crowd that formed, plus the person who was attacked, told them to do something."

The 50-person brawl saw police forced to use riot shields as they were pelted by missiles thrown in their direction.

Another resident described driving through the area as like "driving through the Bronx" as the incident took place.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "We're continuing to investigate a large disorder which saw officers injured in Wolverhampton on Wednesday.

"We've secured and are in the process of reviewing a range of footage around what happened in Ruskin Road from around 5pm onwards.

"We responded to a call over concerns for safety and four officers who attended were hurt, thankfully not seriously, as missiles were thrown.

"A man and a woman received injuries to their head & back respectively.

"Police vehicles were damaged and items of uniform were also stolen.

"We're keen to hear from anyone with information as we establish exactly who was involved.

"You can contact us directly via our website and quote log 3152 of 20/7/22.

"Alternatively, you can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Tell them what you know, not who you are."