London(ANN)-An attempt by the Metropolitan police to break up an illegal street party flares up into violent clashes with 22 officers being injured, two of whom required hospital treatment.
Video clips of the incident shared on social media show police vehicles being smashed and officers being chased during a confrontation with a large crowd near the Angell Town estate in Brixton. Another clip shows a partygoer whose face is covered in blood.
Police were called to look into a “large unlicensed music event” in Overton Road on Wednesday night. When police tried to encourage the crowd to leave, a group became hostile towards officers, the Met said.
The home secretary, Priti Patel, described the clashes as “utterly vile scenes” and said she would be speaking to the Met police commissioner, Dame Cressida Dick.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, tweeted that “violence against the police will not be tolerated”. He added: “Large gatherings during #COVID19 are deeply irresponsible and risk others’ lives.”
Four people have been for assault and public order offences.
Police 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, antisocial 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.”
He said an investigation was underway.
The police said the party was finally cleared in the early hours of Thursday, while a section 60 order, which gives police powers to stop and search without reasonable suspicion, was later enforced in the area.
Patel tweeted: “These are utterly vile scenes. Just last weekend, the whole country came together to praise our heroic police officers for putting their own lives on the line to keep us safe.
“I’ll be picking up with the Met commissioner immediately.”
SOURCE: Presstv
