Police launch inquiry into disorder near remains of Crooked House Pub

A police inquiry has been launched into disorder near the remains of the Crooked House pub, which saw two people assaulted by a group gathered at the site.

Staffordshire Police said the assault victims, a man and a woman, got into a car to leave the area at about 8.30pm on Saturday, but were obstructed and were then involved in a collision with a pedestrian.

The force said in a statement issued on Monday: "We understand that a man and a woman were assaulted by a group of people while in the area.

"Fortunately, the pedestrian, a woman, was not seriously injured."

It is understood that the disorder at the site of the landmark pub in Himley, near Dudley, occurred after an unofficial event with food and drink provided, which was unconnected to the main Save The Crooked House (Let's Get It Re-built) Facebook campaign.

Campaign co-ordinator Paul Turner said the administrators of the Facebook group, which has attracted more than 28,000 members, had advised people to stay away from the site before Saturday's incident.

"We don't want people guarding the site," he said. "There is no benefit in it and no reason for it."

Saturday's disorder came two days after Staffordshire Police confirmed that it had arrested and bailed a third suspect, a 51-year-old man from Buckingham, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson.

Officers had previously arrested and bailed two other men, aged 66 and 33, in connection with the fire, which broke out on August 5.

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