Hooded men have been filmed apparently throwing incendiary devices towards a fleet of luxury wedding cars outside Royal Shalimar in Birmingham in an attack that unfolded while guests and children were in the vicinity.
Footage reviewed by BPI News shows several hooded men emerging from the direction of Mole Street and approaching the Highgate Road venue before throwing what appear to be Molotov cocktails towards vehicles parked outside.
The apparent target was a fleet of high-value cars assembled for a wedding at the venue, including McLarens and Lamborghinis.
Footage indicates that some of the devices failed to hit the vehicles and instead struck the entrance area of Royal Shalimar.
A black McLaren was set on fire during the incident.
The attack took place in broad daylight, with people in traditional wedding attire visible around the venue. Children can also be seen in the vicinity as the incident unfolds.
No injuries have been reported.
The hooded men were subsequently chased back in the direction of Mole Street.
Royal Shalimar is a large wedding, events and dining complex at 238 Highgate Road in Birmingham. The venue promotes itself particularly for large weddings and South Asian celebrations and operates several event spaces alongside its buffet restaurant.
Its Grand Hall can accommodate up to 850 guests in a table configuration and is used for weddings and other large functions, according to the venue’s website. Royal Shalimar also operates the smaller Oval Suite, which can accommodate up to 220 people and is marketed for events including Nikkah and Mehndi celebrations, graduations and other private functions.
The venue also advertises in-house wedding services including décor, catering, event planning, waiting staff and sound and lighting, reflecting its role as a substantial events venue rather than solely a restaurant.
The presence of guests and children close to where the devices were thrown is likely to form an important part of the investigation as officers establish the precise sequence of events.
West Midlands Police have launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses and anyone possessing additional footage to come forward.
Investigators are expected to examine CCTV and other recordings from the surrounding Highgate Road and Mole Street area as they seek to identify those involved.
The footage reviewed by BPI News provides evidence of how the incident unfolded and appears to show the luxury vehicles being deliberately targeted. It does not establish the identities of the hooded men or the motive behind the attack.