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A gang of machete-wielding thugs sparked terror - and a huge lockdown - after storming a cinema at a city multiplex.

Police armed with batons, tasers and dogs swarmed Star City as a terrifying fight broke out on Saturday night, November 23.

Terrified families and young children, who had come to see Frozen 2 at the Vue cinema, were evacuated as the Nechells complex was put on lockdown.

A massive disorder broke out while people were queuing for snacks ahead of the new film, witnesses say.

Officers were called to the scene at around 5.35pm to reports that a gang armed with machetes were inside the cinema.

Trouble sparked between more than 100 people in the packed entertainment complex - with police officers injured as they tried to control the fight.

What happened?

Police swooped to popular multiplex, Star City , after reports of a gang wielding machetes at the cinema.

A large number of police officers arrived on scene to find over 100 people gathered, with several pockets of fighting within the complex.

Officers moved to clear the area, and Star City was evacuated.

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A number of officers were attacked as they tried to deal with the fighting, but fortunately no one was seriously hurt.

A dispersal order was put in place, allowing officers to move on groups of people and arrest those who fail to leave. Dramatic video from the scene captures as the officers break up the fighting.

Officers remained at the scene on Saturday night and said they were liaising closely with the venue's management.

Motorists were urged to avoid the area due to the build up of traffic surrounding the complex.

Was anyone hurt?

Yes. Unfortunately a total of seven police officers were assaulted as they tried to deal with the huge disorder inside Star City.

Fortunately, they only suffered minor facial injuries, West Midlands Police confirmed on Sunday, November 24.

Has anyone been arrested?

Yes. Police said a number of arrests were made following the incident - which happened at around 5.35pm on Saturday night.

Officers arrested five teenagers in total at the time of the riot.

These include a 13-year-old school girl, a boy and a girl aged 14 and a 19-year-old man - all arrested on suspicion of assaulting police.

A boy aged 14 was held on suspicion of obstructing police.

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What has West Midlands Police said?

A statement from West Midlands Police read: "A number of arrests have been made following disorder at Star City in Birmingham tonight.

"We were called just before 5.35pm to reports that a group of people with machetes had arrived at the cinema within the complex.

"Officers arrived to find a group of more than 100 people, and pockets of fighting broke out as police moved to clear the area. A number of police officers have been assaulted, and several arrests have been made.

"A dispersal order has been out in place giving officers the power to move on groups of people and arrest those who fail to leave. Officers remain at the scene and are liaising closely with management at the venue. Motorists are urged to avoid the area because of traffic build-up."

What have witnesses said?

A witness has described the terrifying scene as ' one of the scariest moments of my life .'

Rachel Allison tweeted: “Just came to see the new Blue Story film, standing in line for snacks when a fight breaks out behind my brother - worst thing is, it’s young girls fighting. Police brought batons, tasers and dogs out. Star City now closed.”

Worryingly, there were many young children present at the time who had come especially to see the new Frozen film.

One witness told Mirror Online: "That's probably one of the scariest moments of my life. Me and my daughter were in a queue to watch frozen, loads of little kids there, all dressed up and everything, then these girls jumped on another girl and loads of these kids just started fighting.

"Armed police came with Tasers. All the people that were fighting run off into the cinema. There’s about 15 to 20 police cars. I’m shaking."