This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7429638.stm

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Tube revels shut Liverpool Street Tube drinks party sparks mayhem
(about 2 hours later)
Liverpool Street Tube station has been shut after thousands began partying there to mark the last night of drinking on the Tube. Thousands of people have marked the banning of alcohol on London transport with a party that ended with arrests, assaults and cancelled trains.
Drinking alcohol has been banned on much of London transport from midnight. Thousands marked the ban by gathering to drink around the Tube network. Drinkers, many in fancy dress, gathered on Tube trains and station concourses in a last celebration before the ban came into force at midnight.
Liverpool Street was closed to ease overcrowding, after about 2,000 people began partying there. But police said what should have been a fun event came to an "unfortunate" end.
Across London, six people were arrested for being drunk and disorderly. Six Tube stations were closed, while police made 17 arrests. Six assaults were reported on Tube staff and police.
The ban on drinking from - or carrying - open containers of alcohol applies to the Tube, London buses, Docklands Light Railway and trams. There were also numerous reports of damage to Tube trains, which led to suspended services.
It was announced by London Mayor Boris Johnson shortly after he took office. 'Like rush hour but fun'
Many people celebrating the last night of legitimate drinking met at Liverpool Street Station's west-bound Circle Line platform at about 2030 BST. The ban on drinking from - or carrying - open containers of alcohol applies to the Tube, London buses, Docklands Light Railway and trams as of midnight on Saturday.
Others crowded onto Circle Line trains, while police said Baker Street was another hotspot. It was announced by London Mayor Boris Johnson shortly after he took office, with the aim of making public transport safer and more pleasant.
It's sweaty on there but I'm going round and round until I vomit Peter Moore, from Brighton Booze on the Tube endsTube party in pictures Londoner Matt Wynn, 43, a banker, said: "I've come along with a bottle of champagne because I want to show that you can drink responsibly on the Tube and not cause trouble. It's sweaty on there but I'm going round and round until I vomit Peter Moore, from Brighton Booze on the Tube endsTube party in pictures
"It's going to be a bit of a stop-start evening, though, because there are no toilets on the Tube." The party, mostly on the Circle Line, was dubbed the Last Round on the Underground or Last Orders. It had previously been widely advertised on social networking and other internet sites.
Steve Nosworthy, 27, from Australia, said: "I've brought along this big crate of Carling and I'm going to go round and round all night - well, until 12 o'clock, when I'll probably get kicked off." The party began in a celebratory mood, with many people in good spirits and anticipating a good night.
David Mudkips, 25, a web programmer from Hackney, described the experience on the train as: "Like rush hour but fun. There were people's sweaty armpits in my face but I didn't care because I was drinking." Londoner Matt Wynn, 43, a banker, said: "I've come along with a bottle of champagne because I want to show that you can drink responsibly on the Tube and not cause trouble."
Peter Moore, 35, a sailor from Brighton, described his night as: "Drunken, I just downed a can of beer in 10 seconds. It's sweaty on there but I'm going round and round until I vomit." But others took a different approach from the beginning.
'Half-baked' Peter Moore, 35, a sailor from Brighton, said he had downed a can of beer in 10 seconds. "It's sweaty on there, but I'm going round and round until I vomit," he said.
Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT union which represents train drivers, previously called the partying "irresponsible". Damaged police vehicle
But he also said the alcohol ban was "half-baked" and could put staff at greater danger of assault. As the night wore on, eyewitnesses described how drunken partygoers began fighting and vomiting, ripping up maps and adverts, and leaving spilled alcohol and debris everywhere.
"Violence against Tube staff is already a major problem, particularly from people who have been drinking, but now our members will be expected to approach people drinking and stop them or even remove them from the train or station," he said. British Transport Police said there was a "large amount" of instances of disorder reported.
But Mr Johnson said he was determined to improve the safety and security of public transport in London. Liverpool Street underground station in the City was closed to ease overcrowding for several hours. Other Tube stations closed by police were Euston, Euston Square, Aldgate, Gloucester Road and Baker Street.
"I firmly believe that if we drive out so called minor crime then we will be able to get a firm grip on more serious crime," he said. Seventeen people were arrested for offences such as assault, being drunk and disorderly, assaulting police, public order related offences and drug offences, BTP said.
He said the ban had the full support of the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police. One police vehicle was damaged and two officers assaulted and another injured.
Police also reported four assaults on train drivers and three assaults on other members of London Underground staff.
There were also "multiple instances" of Tube trains being damaged, which meant they were withdrawn from service, which in turn led to several Tube services being suspended.
'Dangerous'
Superintendent Ellie Bird said she had no doubt that the event had begun with a small number of people keen to have fun without causing trouble.
But she added: "Alcohol has a significant impact on crime and anti social behaviour, not only rendering people more vulnerable but raising levels of aggression.
"Those under the influence of alcohol are more likely to cause disruption to the service through their physical state and conduct.
"We have seen numerous examples this evening of the negative impact of alcohol and antisocial behaviour. It is dangerous for those individuals and others."
Were you there? What were your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below.Were you there? What were your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name
 Name