A group of ‘vigilante thugs’ who attacked and stripped two men before posting it online have been slammed by a local councillor
The chilling incident was filmed as a number of men arrived in cars before allegedly assaulting the pair at a bus stop after they were apparently spotted in a neighbourhood garden.
Video footage was then shared and circulated on Whatsapp and police are now investigating the attack.
The attack in Walsall took place on Saturday February 5, after the pair were discovered in a garden in Skip Lane, according to Birmingham Mail.
Paddock ward Councillor Waheed Rasab said: “We have a Neighbourhood Watch group and they said it shouldn’t have happened and they’re going to look into it. The police will investigate further.
“I think people are frustrated. They need better education and guidance as to how to handle it.
“You don’t take the law into your own hands, ring the police. I’m against anyone taking the law into their own hands and vigilante groups.”
Councillor Rasab’s own home was raided last year and dozens of residents rushed to help.
“The Neighbourhood Watch is doing excellent work, they’re giving their own time to protect the community,” he added.
“Park Hall Neighbourhood Watch is one of the best in the country, they play an active role in reducing crime.
“There was an incident a few months ago, someone was broken into, the man was walking on Birmingham Road and they managed to restrain him.
“We don’t want to discourage people from joining the Neighbourhood Watch as it plays a key role in our area.”
Videos of the alleged attack and footage of one of the two men walking down Birmingham Road without clothes on were later posted online.
In the video, two men are seen cowering at a bus stop while one man shouts at them: “Don’t come back to this area ever again, otherwise we are going to chop your f****** hand off. It’ll be a lot worse. Is that understood.”
One terrified victim says: “I won’t I swear. I’m sorry. It’s understood.”
Officers were sent to the area but there were no signs of the injured men or any of the alleged offenders.
West Midlands Police is looking to trace the suspected offenders and the victims. A spokesman urged people “not to share these videos and remind those responsible that vigilante behaviour is not acceptable”.
The force said the investigation is ongoing today (February 10).
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