A fearless bystander used a fire extinguisher to confront an ‘erratic’ knife-wielding thug.
In shocking footage, a man can be seen menacingly waving a huge knife in broad daylight from behind a takeaway counter in Erdington, Birmingham.
A witness said staff at Mammas African Kitchen had to ‘flee’ when he ran into the premises at around 4pm on Friday.
He was reportedly chased into the takeaway by members of the public who were angry about him causing issues in other nearby shops.
While behind the counter, he was recorded repeatedly slamming the huge knife on the counter and shouting aggressively.
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Another man, who may have had some interaction with the man before he entered the shop, is seen edging through the takeaway’s doorway while holding a fire extinguisher.
The armed man responds angrily and at one point threatens to throw food at him.
Other members of the public appeal for calm and the man holding the fire extinguisher is recorded leaving the takeaway a short time later.
One witness, who did not want to be named, said: ‘The man was causing a few problems in other shops along the High Street.
‘I don’t know if he was going to harm anyone but I think he would have done had a couple of people not chased him.
‘He was chased into the shop so didn’t work there or have anything to do with the place. If people hadn’t confronted him then something bad would have happened I’m sure.
‘The staff had to flee and he was acting really erratic so it was pretty worrying on a busy high street in broad daylight. Police were there quickly to take him away.
‘It was scary but you’re kind of used to seeing these sort of things in Erdington and Birmingham generally. It’s a sign of the times sadly.’
Officers from West Midlands Police arrived at the scene shortly after the footage was recorded and arrested a man in his 40s on suspicion of criminal damage and assault.
A spokesperson said one person suffered a minor hand injury during the episode. They were treated by paramedics at the scene and did not go to hospital, they added.
The suspect remained in custody as of yesterday and enquiries are continuing, the force said.
It urged anyone with information to contact it on 101 or via Live Chat, quoting crime reference 20/404325/26.
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