Officers arrived to end the event in Brixton, south London, on Wednesday night, but clashes erupted and led to chaotic scenes that have been condemned by the Mayor of London and the UK Home Secretary.
A video appears showing police cars being attacked and police officers chasing agents away, and some throwing bottles at authorities. The unverified videos posted to Snapchat in the area appear to show police vehicles pulling out of the crowds in the early hours of Thursday.
“Officers attended to encourage the crowd to leave the scene, but did not engage with the police. The event continued and more officers attended the scene and the group became hostile to the officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. .
None of the officers was seriously injured, but two required hospital treatment, the force added. Four arrests were made for assault and public order crimes.
“I am in contact with the Met about completely unacceptable events in Brixton overnight. Violence against the police will not be tolerated,” London Mayor Sadiq Khan said on Twitter. “Big gatherings during COVID19 are deeply irresponsible and risk the lives of others.”
“These are completely vile scenes,” added UK Home Secretary Priti Patel. “Last weekend, the entire country came together to praise our heroic police officers for risking their own lives to keep us safe.”
The London Ambulance Service said it received “multiple calls” to the area overnight, sending six ambulance teams to the scene and an advanced trauma team.
Two paramedics were seen by paramedics and required additional medical treatment, the ambulance service said. Eight police officers were treated, two of whom went to the hospital.
“Our officers work incredibly hard to engage and explain the public health message and regulations to prevent such meetings from happening,” Commander of the Basic Command Unit Colin Wingrove said Thursday in a police statement. “The violence shown to the officers is totally unacceptable and we will not tolerate it in any way.”
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