Birmingham police launch hate crime probe after LGBT+ campaigners ‘pelted with eggs’
Parents of pupils at Fernwood Primary School in Nottingham came out in support of LGBT education following protests (Getty)
Police in Birmingham have opened an investigation after eggs were allegedly thrown at LGBT+ campaigners outside a primary school.
Anderton Park primary school in Birmingham has faced weeks of angry protests from a network of activists who are opposed to children learning about LGBT+ people.
‘Eggs thrown’ at Birmingham campaigners putting up pro-LGBT banners
In response to the protests, a group of pro-LGBT activists visited the school on Sunday evening (19 May) to put up banners showing messages of “love and support” towards LGBT+ people outside the school.
Their banners displayed messages including “Love is the answer,” “end hate,” and “no to Islamophobia, no to homophobia, no to biphobia, no to transphobia.”
However, the pro-LGBT campaigners say they were intimidated and pelted with eggs when another group of people arrived to challenge them.
Lovely messages of support from the local community at Anderton Park Primary. @NoOutsidersUK #NoOutsiders pic.twitter.com/GbHHptdgDL
— Rose Taylor (@RoseEngineer) May 19, 2019
West Midlands Police, who were called after reports of assault and criminal damage, said in a statement that “eggs were thrown at people and houses.”
Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, Tracy from pro-LGBT group SEEDS said: “It was awful. I was shaking. We had no intention of disturbing anyone – we were putting up the banners and messages we had made to show solidarity with staff.
“We wanted them to see something positive when they turned up for work, and to see they had our backing.”
The pro-LGBT banners had mostly been ripped down by Monday, according to the outlet.
Offences ‘motivated by hate’
Police say they are reviewing CCTV and speaking to victims and witnesses relating to the internet.
Officers are also investigating “a report of malicious communications” received by the school last Thursday (16 May), after headteacher Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson allegedly received threatening emails and phone calls.
West Midlands Police Chief Superintendent Kenny Bell said: “We remain wholly committed to tackling all forms of hate crime; such behaviour is completely unacceptable within our many diverse and multi-cultural communities.
“Officers have been working closely with the school, the local community and the parents over recent months and have policed a number of protests.
“It seems last night’s offences were motivated by hate and we need to get to the bottom of what happened and why.
“We continue to work in partnership with the school and our local communities.
“There will be a visible police presence in the area to offer reassurance to our communities over the coming days.”
