This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/20/met-condems-unacceptable-disorder-at-hyde-park-water-fight
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Met condemns 'unacceptable' disorder at Hyde Park water fight | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Police have said they are investigating Tuesday night’s disorder in Hyde Park after a flashmob-style water fight attended by 2,000 revellers descended into violence with one police officer stabbed. | Police have said they are investigating Tuesday night’s disorder in Hyde Park after a flashmob-style water fight attended by 2,000 revellers descended into violence with one police officer stabbed. |
| The Met said it was reviewing video footage shot from helicopters and CCTV to find out exactly what happened at the “spontaneous event” promoted through social media that ended with officers coming under attack after they attempted to stop participants setting up a sound system. | The Met said it was reviewing video footage shot from helicopters and CCTV to find out exactly what happened at the “spontaneous event” promoted through social media that ended with officers coming under attack after they attempted to stop participants setting up a sound system. |
| Five officers were injured, including the officer who was stabbed and a second officer who was bottled. Both received hospital treatment but have since been discharged. | Five officers were injured, including the officer who was stabbed and a second officer who was bottled. Both received hospital treatment but have since been discharged. |
| Commander Ben-Julian Harrington said: “If you have any footage that may help, or any information, then please get in touch with us.” | Commander Ben-Julian Harrington said: “If you have any footage that may help, or any information, then please get in touch with us.” |
| Add my snap tho @ Siannacute 💁🏽😂 | Add my snap tho @ Siannacute 💁🏽😂 |
| A video posted by 16👑.🇯🇲🇬🇭 (@fxckit_xox) on Jul 19, 2016 at 5:04pm PDT | A video posted by 16👑.🇯🇲🇬🇭 (@fxckit_xox) on Jul 19, 2016 at 5:04pm PDT |
| Witness video has since emerged on social media showing some members of the crowd shouting: “Black lives matter,” as the disorder escalated. A further three members of the public were injured, with initial reports suggesting two had been stabbed, although further details of their identity and condition have not been provided. | Witness video has since emerged on social media showing some members of the crowd shouting: “Black lives matter,” as the disorder escalated. A further three members of the public were injured, with initial reports suggesting two had been stabbed, although further details of their identity and condition have not been provided. |
| Harrington added that officers in riot gear were deployed as the violence escalated and has called for any mobile phone footage to be handed over. | Harrington added that officers in riot gear were deployed as the violence escalated and has called for any mobile phone footage to be handed over. |
| He said: “What took place wasn’t a group of people out enjoying the sunshine but crime and disorder which is quite simply unacceptable. Officers are out and about on duty today and we want everyone in London to have a safe and enjoyable day. | He said: “What took place wasn’t a group of people out enjoying the sunshine but crime and disorder which is quite simply unacceptable. Officers are out and about on duty today and we want everyone in London to have a safe and enjoyable day. |
| “If people are going to go along to unlicensed or spontaneous events then please think very carefully; they are simply not safe. | “If people are going to go along to unlicensed or spontaneous events then please think very carefully; they are simply not safe. |
| “You do not have the protection of attending a well organised and safe event. Parents and guardians are urged to think carefully about whether these sorts of events are where you want you children to go.” | “You do not have the protection of attending a well organised and safe event. Parents and guardians are urged to think carefully about whether these sorts of events are where you want you children to go.” |
| Police officers remained at Hyde Park until crowds dispersed at around 2.20 am. | Police officers remained at Hyde Park until crowds dispersed at around 2.20 am. |
| Elsewhere in London on Tuesday, police were similarly attacked when they attempted to break up an an unlicensed music event attended by 400 people. | Elsewhere in London on Tuesday, police were similarly attacked when they attempted to break up an an unlicensed music event attended by 400 people. |
| Officers ordered people to leave the event at the Stamford Hill estate in Hackney at around 8pm and were met with hurled bottles and other objects, leading to some officers suffering from minor injuries. Three police vans were also damaged. | Officers ordered people to leave the event at the Stamford Hill estate in Hackney at around 8pm and were met with hurled bottles and other objects, leading to some officers suffering from minor injuries. Three police vans were also damaged. |
| Scotland Yard said it was not linking the incident with the disorder in Hyde Park. | Scotland Yard said it was not linking the incident with the disorder in Hyde Park. |
| Earlier this week, flyers had been distributed on social media advertising a free party, which brought hundreds of young people into Hyde Park. | Earlier this week, flyers had been distributed on social media advertising a free party, which brought hundreds of young people into Hyde Park. |
| The unofficial event follows large parts of the park being closed to the public last week as the royal parks hosted their British Summer Time concerts, featuring stars such as Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams, Carole King and Massive Attack. | The unofficial event follows large parts of the park being closed to the public last week as the royal parks hosted their British Summer Time concerts, featuring stars such as Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams, Carole King and Massive Attack. |
| There had been anger expressed by residents living nearby at the noise of the gigs, and by community activists at the fact what was once a public open space was now being used to make promoters and the royal parks large sums of money while blocking off access to local communities. | There had been anger expressed by residents living nearby at the noise of the gigs, and by community activists at the fact what was once a public open space was now being used to make promoters and the royal parks large sums of money while blocking off access to local communities. |
| Westminster Conservative councillor Glenys Roberts said many residents in areas around Hyde Park felt increasingly disenfranchised by the use of the park during the summer for commercial events, and that free parties could be a response to them. | Westminster Conservative councillor Glenys Roberts said many residents in areas around Hyde Park felt increasingly disenfranchised by the use of the park during the summer for commercial events, and that free parties could be a response to them. |
| She added: “The concerts are a great nuisance. Many feel strongly that the park is a free space that should be open to everybody. The concerts do not even seem to make enough money to repair damage to the grass or improve the park for the enjoyment of all.” | She added: “The concerts are a great nuisance. Many feel strongly that the park is a free space that should be open to everybody. The concerts do not even seem to make enough money to repair damage to the grass or improve the park for the enjoyment of all.” |