Police Admit to Two-Tier Policing in Birmingham

West Midlands Police Superintendent Emlyn Richards has faced backlash after suggesting a 'two-tier' policing approach in Birmingham, particularly in relation to a recent incident involving a large Muslim counter-protest. During his comments, Richards indicated that police response was tailored based on intelligence gathered from community leaders, leading critics to accuse the police of being complicit in allowing violence to occur. Reports describe the police as having effectively abandoned the streets, allowing armed groups to take control while contrasting this with the treatment of far-right demonstrators. Richards defended the police's actions, stating that most attendees were law-abiding; however, this explanation has not quelled accusations of bias. The controversy has fueled a broader debate about policing practices in the UK, particularly regarding perceived disparities in treatment based on ethnicity. Critics, including political figures, have strongly condemned what they view as unequal enforcement of the law, with some labeling it as 'shameful'.