Police Officers from the Metropolitan Police have been attacked in Brixton, London after a massive ‘block party’ descended into absolute chaos in the early hours of this morning.
Videos circulating on social media show lines of police being pelted with objects thrown at them and one clip even appears to show someone threatening officers with a large sword during the chaotic scenes.
Another video showed violent rioters jumping on a Metropolitan Police patrol car and smashing it. It followed unconfirmed reports of a gunshot at a house party earlier in the night.
Video posted on social media site Twitter shows a large group of people gathering in Angell Town about 7pm, other footage shows a pair of violent revellers climbing atop a police car and smashing in the window with their feet.
Crowds can be seen facing police officers holding sticks and bricks.
Reacting to the horrific scenes, one person on Twitter said: “So guys imagine, we’re at a Brixton BBQ, a gunshot goes off and everyone started running!”
Another said: “Disgusting, sickening behaviour in Brixton. They are out of control and you want to continue to ease lockdown?!?!?!?! How were they allowed to have a BLOCK PARTY that had hundreds of people and it didn’t get locked off?
“And this wasn’t even the worst part, weapons were thrown at police, an abandoned police car smashed up, people’s cars parked smashed!! Police driven out onto the main road by these disgraceful people, shame on all of you!”
Lambeth Police had previously said they had received reports of a “possible unlicensed music event”.
They said: “Police will be in the area carrying out reassurance patrols so feel free to say hello.”
Sadly, they did not get the type of hello they had been hoping for in modern-day London.
UNN awaits further details on the incident and an official statement from the Metropolitan Police.
Update 09:16 – The Metropolitan Police have now issued this full statement as seen below:
[give_form id=”1772″ show_title=”false” show_goal=”false” show_content=”below” display_style=”modal”]Police were called to Cecilia Road, Lambeth on the evening of Wednesday, 24 June to multiple reports of a large unlicensed music event in the street.
Officers attended to encourage the crowd to leave the location but they did not engage with police.
The event continued and more officers attended the scene and the group became hostile towards officers.
A Dispersal Zone was authorised under S35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 to encourage crowds to leave.
In total, 15 officers were injured, none seriously although two did require hospital treatment.
A small number of police vehicles were damaged.
Four arrested were made for assault and public order offences. They remain in police custody.
The event was cleared in the early hours of Thursday, 25 June.
A section 60 was later implemented in the vicinity of the event to prevent violence.
BCU Commander Colin Wingrove said: “Our role is to protect the public and ensure guidelines are adhered to in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19 protecting the NHS and save lives
“Our officers work incredibly hard to engage and explain the public health message and regulations to prevent such gatherings occurring.
“Last night we received numerous concerns from residents complaining about a large gathering, noise, anti-social behaviour and violence and officers responded to those concerns.
“These gatherings are unlawful, as well as posing a risk to public health and against coronavirus restrictions.
“The violence shown towards officers is totally unacceptable and we will not tolerate it in any form.
“An investigation into the incident is now taking place and those involved will be brought to justice.”
Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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