Witnesses today described how police were assaulted in a “proper riot” when drinkers at a wake at an Islington pub surrounded them in the street.
Officers had been called to an incident of alleged domestic violence nearby, when they were caught up in a mass brawl.
Dozens of police were called as back-up when a single officer in the pub was surrounded.
Several officers were assaulted as the confrontation is believed to have spilled outside on the street, though none were injured.
Police “deployed” CS spray to calm the situation.
A group of more than 50 people all dressed in black had been drinking at the Hanbury Arms from 3pm when a policeman entered the pub seeking a local man.
It is understood the inquiry related to an alleged domestic incident at an address in nearby Arbon Court on Linton Street, where houses can fetch around £1.5m.
A witness, who was in the pub, said: “A policeman came into the pub looking for a local chap. He was walking out of the pub when there was an argument among these people at the wake.
“They were middle aged and the men were all in black suit and ties. They had been drinking all afternoon and they were squaring up to each other. The women were screaming - it was like something out of EastEnders.
“The poor policeman was alone but tried his best to calm everything down. Then lots of police cars descended on the scene and there was a big mob around the police. It was really messy there was loads of pushing and shoving and middle-aged men beating their chests.”
Another witness said: “It was a proper riot. At one stage the police were really outnumbered and surrounded.
“It was very tense and lots of people were piling on and women fighting as well. It was like something out a film. It is a quiet leafy place and the pub is really nice. As far as I could see it all the fisticuffs were outside the pub. It was a hot day and they had been drinking for a long time.”
The police helicopter was scrambled as the “riot” unfolded.
One resident said: “We locked ourselves indoors it was quite frightening but the police did well under the chaotic circumstances.”
The Met said six people were arrested, including the man police initially attended to arrest, for a variety of offences including public order and assault. There were no reports of any other injuries.
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