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Met urges people not to attend unlicensed events after clashes Met urges people not to go to unlicensed events after London clashes
(about 1 hour later)
Police are urging people not to attend unlicensed events after clashes between officers and hundreds of youths at three separate London locations saw outbreaks of violence in which members of the public and officers were stabbed and a supermarket was looted. Police are urging people not to attend unlicensed events after clashes between officers and hundreds of youths at three separate London locations in which members of the public and officers were stabbed and a supermarket was looted.
Police are investigating the disturbances on Tuesday at a party in Hyde Park, an unlicensed music event at a Hackney council estate and a water fight in Burgess Park, south London, on the hottest day of the year. All three unlicensed events were promoted on social media.Police are investigating the disturbances on Tuesday at a party in Hyde Park, an unlicensed music event at a Hackney council estate and a water fight in Burgess Park, south London, on the hottest day of the year. All three unlicensed events were promoted on social media.
Related: Croydon bar accuses police of banning Jamaican bashment musicRelated: Croydon bar accuses police of banning Jamaican bashment music
The violence at Burgess Park also spilled out to a nearby supermarket, where some of a crowd of about 200 people looted the shop and two customers were injured. The violence at Burgess Park also spilled out to a nearby supermarket, where members of a crowd of about 200 people looted goods and two customers were injured. There were reports, too, that a branch of McDonald’s was shut down at Marble Arch, close to Hyde Park.
Scotland Yard said it did not think the disturbances at Hyde Park, the Stamford Hill estate in Hackney and at Burgess Park were linked but acknowledged the similarities as they urged people to rethink attending unlicensed events. Scotland Yard said it did not think the disturbances at Hyde Park, the Stamford Hill estate in Hackney and at Burgess Park were linked, but acknowledged the similarities as they urged people to rethink attending unlicensed events.
DCS Simon Messinger said: “While at this stage we do not believe the events at Burgess Park to be linked to disorder elsewhere in London last night, clearly there are similarities, with incidents quickly breaking out amongst a large group of youths.” DCS Simon Messinger said: “While at this stage we do not believe the events at Burgess Park to be linked to disorder elsewhere in London last night, clearly there are similarities, with incidents quickly breaking out among a large group of youths.”
At Hyde Park, about 2,000 people attended an event promoted on social media as “Bashment in the park” – a reference to a form of Jamaican music – although police said it was a “spontaneous water fight”.At Hyde Park, about 2,000 people attended an event promoted on social media as “Bashment in the park” – a reference to a form of Jamaican music – although police said it was a “spontaneous water fight”.
pic.twitter.com/iv57WJkB0Tpic.twitter.com/iv57WJkB0T
Five officers were injured, including one who was stabbed and another bottled, while three members of the public were wounded. Initial reports said two members of the public were stabbed but no further details of their identity or condition were provided. Five officers were injured, including one who was stabbed and another who was bottled, while three members of the public were wounded. Initial reports said two members of the public were stabbed but no further details of their identity or condition were provided.
The Met said officers came under attack after attempting to stop participants setting up a sound system and the force is reviewing video footage shot from helicopters as well as CCTV. The Met said officers came under attack after attempting to stop participants setting up a sound system and the force is reviewing video footage shot from helicopters as well as from CCTV.
Witness video has since emerged on social media showing some members of the crowd shouting: “Black lives matter,” as the disorder escalated. Another clip, seen by the Guardian, appears to show a man stabbing another man in the middle of the street.Witness video has since emerged on social media showing some members of the crowd shouting: “Black lives matter,” as the disorder escalated. Another clip, seen by the Guardian, appears to show a man stabbing another man in the middle of the street.
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.”
Harrington 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.Harrington 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. 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 your children to go.”“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 your children to go.”
Police officers remained at Hyde Park until crowds dispersed at approximately 2.20am. Police officers remained at Hyde Park until crowds dispersed at approximately 2.20am on Wednesday morning.
As the disorder in Hyde Park continued, about 500 to 600 youths were gathering in Burgess Park to take part in a water fight advertised via social media. Mobile phone footage shared on social media showed young people vaulting over the counter of McDonald’s in Marble Arch, as crowds spilled out of neighbouring Hyde Park.
Families with children were in the branch as food and drink were looted, and staff were forced to retreat to a back room to wait for police, who were called at 9.15pm, the fast food chain said.
MACDONALDS AT MARBLE ARCH GOT FINESSED!!!! pic.twitter.com/RrZYCuMW7q
A McDonald’s spokeswoman said: “I can confirm that our Marble Arch restaurant was closed for a period of time on the night of 19 July due to customers entering the kitchen area.
“Police were contacted by the restaurant team who attended and dealt with the situation, allowing us to reopen shortly after.”
As the disorder in Hyde Park continued, about 500 to 600 youths were gathering in Burgess Park, Southwark, to take part in a water fight advertised via social media.
Small groups started fighting around 5.45pm, police said, escalating into a “large disturbance” in the park that spilled out into the nearby streets, with a crowd totalling between 1,000 to 1,500 people.Small groups started fighting around 5.45pm, police said, escalating into a “large disturbance” in the park that spilled out into the nearby streets, with a crowd totalling between 1,000 to 1,500 people.
Two 16-year-old boys were stabbed, with neither suffering life-threatening injuries although one remains in hospital. Two 16-year-old boys were stabbed. Neither suffered life-threatening injuries, although one remains in hospital.
At 8pm, officers were sent to a nearby supermarket on Dunton Road after reports of a group of up to 200 people damaging the store and stealing items. Two female customers suffered minor injuries but did not require medical assistance. At 8pm, officers were sent to a supermarket on nearby Dunton Road after reports of a group of up to 200 people damaging the store and stealing items. Two female customers suffered minor injuries but did not require medical assistance.
In north London, riot police were being pelted with bottles and debris as they attempted to break up an illegal music event near Malvern House in Stamford Hill. About 400 revellers attended the block party, obstructing the roads to traffic as sound systems were set up in the street. In north London, riot police were pelted with bottles and debris as they attempted to break up an illegal music event near Malvern House in Stamford Hill. About 400 revellers attended the block party, obstructing the roads to traffic as sound systems were set up in the street.
Police officers spoke to the unlicensed event organisers but the party continued so Scotland Yard deployed the territorial support group, the force’s specially trained unit for dealing with spontaneous public disorder. Police officers spoke to the unlicensed event organisers but the party continued, so Scotland Yard deployed the territorial support group, the force’s specially trained unit for dealing with spontaneous public disorder.
Dramatic images and video emerged on social media showing officers arriving in riot gear with makeshift missiles showering down on them.Dramatic images and video emerged on social media showing officers arriving in riot gear with makeshift missiles showering down on them.
Police being pelted with objects in #StamfordHill. @NPASLondon circulating above. Video Credit J Allinson pic.twitter.com/DEEPqt0ofSPolice being pelted with objects in #StamfordHill. @NPASLondon circulating above. Video Credit J Allinson pic.twitter.com/DEEPqt0ofS
A statement from the Met said: “Bottles and objects were thrown at police from the crowds in the area. Some officers suffered minor injuries, none required hospital treatment. Three police vans were also damaged.”A statement from the Met said: “Bottles and objects were thrown at police from the crowds in the area. Some officers suffered minor injuries, none required hospital treatment. Three police vans were also damaged.”