Call for public safety emergency sparks 'playing politics' row

CALLS for Birmingham City Council to declare a 'public safety emergency' following recent violent attacks has sparked a heated political row.

- ALEXANDER BROCK

Conservative councillors are urging the Labour-run authority to adopt their proposed 'action plan to make Birmingham safer' amid recent stabbings in the city centre, including the shocking death of Katie Fox near the Bullring.

The plan includes setting up a high street safety task force, including business groups, to tackle the issue of violent and sexual crimes.

But the Labour administration has hit out at the opposition, saying work is already under way to tackle violence and accusing the Conservatives of "playing politics".

The Conservative's motion for debate, which calls for a public safety emergency to be declared, is set to be discussed at a full council meeting on Tuesday.