Nine officers hurt in West Bromwich riots

A special constable who suffered a gash to the head and required surgery after something was thrown at him was among nine police officers injured during riots and looting in the Black Country it can be revealed today.

The officer was left with concussion. Eight other officers also suffered cuts and bruises trying to control the masked yobs in West Bromwich.

Sandwell's new chief superintendent revealed the injuries at a meeting at West Bromwich's YMCA yesterday as he defended the police response to riots in the town.

"Police responded to what disorder was taking place as quickly as they could," said Ch Supt Mark Robinson.

"The public perception is that the police response was all a bit slow but the reality is that, without any sort of notice, the police did what they could.

"I would rather police officers stand back, monitor a situation, and report it back to one of our inspectors rather than take on a larger group and risk getting injured. I think we did the best we could with the time we had to plan for it."

Hundreds of masked youths rampaged through High Street in West Bromwich last Tuesday, hurling bricks and smashing up shops and cars.