Met Police officers injured illegal block party turns violent

Image copyright @davekayani

Two police officers were injured as riot police shut down an “unlicensed music event” in London.

People living on the Woodberry Down Estate in Finsbury Park alerted the Met to a disturbance at about 23:00 BST on Friday.

Objects including canisters, bottles and a bicycle were thrown at police and two men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested.

The Met has vowed to close down illegal events following a week of violence in the capital.

The past eight days have seen seven people, aged between 18 and 43, murdered in separate attacks.

Footage on social media showed officers marching through the north London estate to disperse revellers.

One officer was taken to hospital with bruising to his ribs while another sustained a leg injury but was able to continue his duties.

The area was cleared by about 04:00 BST.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and obstruction and a 19-year-old was held on suspicion of obstruction. Both remain in custody.

‘Not accept this’

The police force said the “irresponsible actions” of the organiser led to the officers being injured.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi said: “Under no circumstance will policing accept this particularly after we had appealed for such events not to take place.”

On Friday, she said unlicensed music events were not only disruptive to communities and posed an increased risk of Covid-19 transmission, but had led to “violent incidents affecting both those attending and the officers who have to shut them down.”

Ms D’Orsi said footage from CCTV and officers’ bodycams was now being examined and that officers would continue to “patrol this weekend in increased numbers to keep communities safe”.

“They will be engaging with local communities but will also be using tactics such as stop and search,” she added.

“Those who go to unlicensed music events are putting themselves, their families and their communities at risk. I urge anyone considering attending an event like this to re-think their plans.”

Image copyright Instagram

Over the last few weeks, police have been called to numerous unlicensed music events held across London.

Some resorted in violence, with 27 officers injured while breaking up an event in Brixton, south London, and seven were hurt closing an illegal party in White City.