Brixton street party: Revellers who filmed violent disorder 'should be ashamed of themselves'

Kit Heren25 June 2020
WEST END FINAL

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Revellers who filmed violent clashes and disorder after police tried to break up a street party in south London "should be ashamed of themselves", a top Scotland Yard officer said.

Twenty-two police officers were left injured, with two needing hospital treatment, after violence broke out at the unlicensed event in Brixton on Wednesday night.

Footage from the "block party" on Overton Road shows men jumping on a police car and smashing in the windows as officers fled. Four people have been arrested for assault and public order offences and remain in police custody.

Tonight the borough commander for Lambeth and Southwark vowed to bring all those responsible to justice.

Commander Colin Wingrove said: "The scenes of violence against our officers in Brixton last night were disgraceful and those responsible for it, as well as those who stood by and filmed on their phones, should be ashamed of themselves.

"Very sadly, 22 officers were injured as they worked to restore order. The majority of injuries were cuts and bruises but two officers attended hospital for treatment. Two police vehicles were damaged.

“I commend the courage and professionalism of all the officers who dealt this incident and brought it to a conclusion."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel were among those to condemn the "vile" scenes".

Police were called to an "unlicensed" music event in the area that began on Wednesday afternoon, Scotland Yard said.

Officers spent much of the afternoon trying to get revellers to go home - even going as far as to confiscate the sound system. But a new sound system was soon put in place, officers added.

Rubbish was strewn across the street during the clashes
NIGEL HOWARD ©

The scene descended into violence at around midnight.

Shocking images circulating on social media showed officers being chased by men brandishing improvised weapons.

In one video, a man can be heard telling a group of officers to "back up" as he confronts them with what appears to be a sword.

Another clip shows a man chasing away police shouting “don’t come round here bro ... this is what we do” and verbally abusing them.

Police in Brixton on Thursday morning 
Nigel Howard

In another, a woman can be heard saying "yeah" and “nice” as a topless man and angry mob stomp over the police car.

One woman expressed her shock that the car had been wrecked and officers had fled the scene.

Looking at the gutted vehicle she said: “They’ve finished the car. My Lord the police have abandoned their own car."

Police said two vehicles were damaged during the confrontation.

Police in Brixton on Thursday 
Nigel Howard

Contrary to comments on social media, the Met said there had been no reports of stabbings.

Home Secretary Priti Patel condemned the “utterly vile scenes”, and said she would be speaking to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick.

She tweeted: “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.”

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