A leading LGBT Muslim charity has condemned rising hate crime in the city - which peaked during bitter school protests. Attacks on members of the LGBT and Muslim communities rose after No Outsiders protests in January last year at Parkfield Community School in Saltley.

Angry parents also began demos outside Anderton Park School in Sparkbrook in March 2019 over LGBT teachings - before eventually being banned by the courts. A total of 453 homophobic hate incidents were reported to West Midlands Police in the six months from February to the end of July. That was nearly DOUBLE the number in the previous six months.

Figures released by police also show a significant spike in attacks on Birmingham's Muslim community around the same time. Average monthly complaints to police normally number around 10, but that rocketed to 22 reports in March. Read more via Birmingham Live