A man who sparked a huge police response after scaling a wall outside Birmingham's prison was brought to safety this afternoon, BirminghamLive understands. The incident unfolded on Tuesday, April 28, when riot police and a dog unit rushed to Lodge Road and Bacchus Road in Winson Green, near HMP Birmingham, in the early hours.
Officers sealed off both roads with an extensive police cordon that grew wider as the day progressed. The cordon was eventually removed by around 1.45pm. A man pictured on a wall at the edge of the prison was believed to have been at the centre of the incident. He reportedly remained on it for more than eight hours before coming down.
Damage and Disruption
We understand a police car and a section of the wall were damaged as the incident unfolded. West Midlands Police has been contacted for comment. Roads around the scene became congested as officers, who flew a drone overhead during the incident, attempted to bring the situation to a safe conclusion. The number 101 bus service was diverted away from the area.
Residents Affected
Before the cordon came down, a Lodge Road resident told our reporter: "I dropped my daughter off to school at 8.20am and I've come back and they won't let me back home. I had open heart surgery a year ago and I need to take my medication. I should've taken it at 8.30am." They claimed: "[The man on the wall] was opposite my house making a noise at 4am. I'm waiting here, sat on a bench, and it's cold. He's been shouting a lot of stuff."
A dad left out in the cold said he also wasn't allowed to return to his home due to the cordon. He said: "I've not been allowed back into my house since 9am. I took my child to nursery on Bacchus Road and then I couldn't go back home. I've been waiting on the roadside. It's cold."
Shopkeeper's Account
Sujan David, a shopkeeper at Aman's News corner shop on Lodge Road, claimed: "I heard someone throwing stones and shouting around 7.30am. I was in the shop. I stepped outside and people were saying 'call the police'."
Police Statement
West Midlands Police told BirminghamLive as the incident unfolded that it would provide further details "in due course". The force said at the time: "We are currently on Lodge Road in Birmingham dealing with an ongoing incident. There is no threat to the public but we would urge motorists to avoid the area. Further details will be issued in due course."
Our reporter added: "Lodge Road has been reopened after a man scaled a wall next to HMP Birmingham. The man paced along the wall until he was brought down by officers after an incident lasting around eight hours."
Aftermath
After the cordons were removed, the extent of the damage to the wall became obvious. Stones and bricks had been ripped from the wall close to homes on Lodge Road and thrown to the ground. Bricks had been lobbed and landed as far as the driveway of accommodation across the busy road. A clean-up operation will have to be undertaken as quickly as possible.
