LONDON (UK) – As many as 22 police officers were hurt during trouble at an unauthorised music event in London where crowds attacked some patrol cars, British authorities said on Thursday.
Though parties are banned during Britain’s coronavirus lockdown, some people have been defying that.
“These are utterly vile scenes,” said Home Secretary (interior minister) Priti Patel of the disorder in the Brixton area.
Police said they came under attack while taking action following residents’ complaints about noise, anti-social behaviour and violence.
None of the officers were injured seriously, though two required hospital treatment, police said in a statement. A few police cars were damaged and four troublemakers were arrested.
“These gatherings are unlawful, as well as posing a risk to public health and against coronavirus restrictions. The violence shown towards officers is totally unacceptable and we will not tolerate it in any form,” said police commander Colin Wingrove.
Unverified images on social media showed a crowd – with one person holding an object that resembled a sword – confronting officers and attacking a police car.
Patel said the incident was particularly wrong given the recent stabbing spree at a park in Reading where three people died in what police said was a terrorism incident.
“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,” she said.
British police have issued warnings against holding parties or large gatherings during the lockdown to curb COVID-19. Earlier this month, three people were stabbed and a woman raped after thousands of young people attended a “rave” in northern England defying the ban.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field