Greggs staff lock customers with babies inside as gunfire erupts in Birmingham

West Midlands Police investigate an armed incident outside a Birmingham Greggs that left customers traumatised (Illustrative image - AI generated) Upday Stock Images

Shoppers with babies were locked inside a Greggs bakery in Birmingham on Friday after an armed fight erupted outside the store, forcing quick-thinking staff to secure the premises as gunshots rang out. West Midlands Police are hunting those responsible for the violent disorder that left customers traumatized but physically unharmed.

The incident unfolded shortly before 12:55pm outside the Greggs at The Radleys on Sheldon Heath Road in Sheldon. Two men were fighting when an onlooker shouted «he's got a gun», sending panic through the packed lunchtime bakery. Staff immediately locked the doors, lowered the shutters, and directed customers to the back kitchen area for safety.

Witnesses described scenes of terror as the violence played out. One witness posted online: «I was in there with my two-year-old. Saw the two men fighting outside. Someone shouted 'he's got a gun' then I seen the gun. I ran straight to the back of Gregg's - did not want to hang around to see the outcome.»

The witness continued: «I opened the exit door to run out - one of the nice workers suggested we go in that back room for safety and lock the door. There were people having panic attacks.»

Staff praised for bravery

Customers trapped inside praised the Greggs workers for their actions under pressure. Another witness said: «I was inside with my daughter. It was so scary. Luckily the woman behind the counter lock the door and put the shutters down. We all went into the back. She was absolutely brilliant. Kept us all safe. There were babies in prams.»

One person described being caught in what they called a "gun battle". «I am so shook up to the core, myself and mom have been in the middle of a gun battle. I feel sick,» they wrote online. The witness credited staff member Heather for noticing the danger: «If it wasn't for Heather the Greggs lady noticing what was going on outside we could have been seriously hurt.»

Another witness recounted: «The men were fighting and shooting. They tried to get into Greggs, but people were holding the door shut. We have to run to the back of Greggs in the kitchen area to take cover from the gunshots. The manager put the shutters down to protect us. I have never been so scared.»

Investigation ongoing

West Midlands Police confirmed they were called to The Radleys following reports of a disorder with weapons. A police spokeswoman told BirminghamLive: «An investigation is underway and we would ask anyone with any information to call us on 101, quoting incident number 2463 of 19 December or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.»

No arrests have been made. While witnesses reported seeing a gun and hearing gunshots, police have not confirmed whether firearms were used. The store was packed with customers at the time, but no one inside Greggs was injured.

Witnesses expressed broader safety concerns. One said: «There were people having panic attacks. So sad. Just not safe around Sheldon and certainly not to bring kids up. Luckily no one was hurt in Greggs. Staff were very brave too.»

Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).