Hundreds of revellers have crowded together for a street party in London in a dramatic breach of lockdown rules.
Fireworks were shot towards a circling police helicopter as Brent Police officers tried to break up the ‘unlicensed music event’ in Harlesdon, London, on Wednesday, but it has now continued for more than four hours.
More than one party-goer has been arrested, police confirmed, as videos shared online show people dancing and holding plastic cups as they defy lockdown restrictions.
Under the latest rules groups of up to six, including mixed households, are allowed to meet in outside spaces – but social distancing must be strictly followed.
But videos show revellers grouped closely together with some walking through the crowd appearing to pay little heed to the risk of spreading coronavirus.
Brent Police officers tried to break up the ‘unlicensed music event’ in Harlesdon, London, on Wednesday, but with no luck
Up to 400 people are thought to have gathered for the late night street party, in clear defiance of lockdown restrictions
There have now been 39,369 confirmed deaths from the disease in the UK and Brent has suffered one of the highest number of cases in the country.
Brent had registered 465 covid-related deaths up to May 22, one of the highest in the capital and the sixth worst hit in the UK.
Figures released on June 1 showed 45 people died at home in Brent of coronavirus, 40 died in care homes, four in hospices, and two ‘elsewhere’.
One woman tweeted: ‘Seriously? This is happening on Church rd Harlesden right now!! Can hear helis above. Guess no1 gets any sleep 2night. Selfish idiots.’ [sic]
A Brent MPS spokesman confirmed police were ‘engaging and dispersing a large group of people.’
They added: ‘Police are currently in the area of Gifford Road, #NW10, following reports of a unlicensed music event.
‘Officers are engaging and dispersing a large group of people gathered in the area.
More than one party-goer has been arrested, police confirmed, as videos shared online show people dancing and holding plastic cups as they defy lockdown restrictions
Videos show revellers grouped closely together with some walking through the crowd appearing to pay little heed to the risk of spreading coronavirus
A Brent MPS spokesman confirmed police were ‘engaging and dispersing a large group of people’
Police vans lined the street nearby as officers attempted to disperse the crowd, but the party went on until the early hours
There have now been 39,369 confirmed deaths from the disease in the UK and Brent has suffered one of the highest number of cases in the country
Up to 400 revellers gathered to listen to music and dance together despite the risk of spreading the deadly coronavirus
‘There has been one arrest. The National Police Air Service (NPAS) is providing assistance.’
One woman who lived nearby tweeted the police: ‘Please get it sorted we want to sleep! I can’t imagine having to go deal with it, its massive! Thank you.’
Another added: ‘So this is what the helicopters over NW London are all about? Some people in Harlesden who don’t give a s**t having a party? Hmm, can’t say I’m convinced that explains THIS MANY helicopters…’
One wrote at 10.25pm: ‘Big police presence in north-west London as large groups of people ignore social distancing. I live a couple of miles away and could hear the rammy! Police helicopter above for over an hour now.’
One woman who lived nearby tweeted the police: ‘Please get it sorted we want to sleep! I can’t imagine having to go deal with it, its massive! Thank you’
Brent had registered 465 covid-related deaths up to May 22, one of the highest in the capital and the sixth worst hit in the UK
Another penned: ‘We can hear non stop police sirens on the A40 and there’s a helicopter circling for the past 20 mins.’
By 11.44pm another tweet read: ‘Theres A Block Party On Church End/ Church Road Around 400 People Helicopter On Sight With Armed Police. 1 Arrest Made So Far.’
Another wrote: ‘Helicopters been flying over for 4 hrs now, fireworks been going off & this is round the corner from me. This is the hardest hit area for covid19 in london & this definitely isn’t social distancing.’
Shocking moment dozens of teenagers brawl on Hampstead Heath as lockdown eases before 50 police swarm the area making six arrests
by Darren Boyle for MailOnline
Six people have been arrested following a brawl involving hundreds of youths on London’s Hampstead Heath.
Three van loads of police officers were deployed to the park at around 6.30pm on Tuesday to disperse the crowd.
A dispersal order is now in place for the heath and nearby Parliament Hill, the Met Police said, and the public have been told to stay away.
Six people have been arrested following a mass brawl on Hampstead Health in north London
At least 50 police officers arrived to disperse the group of teenagers on Hampstead Heath
At least 50 police officers arrived to disperse the group of teenagers on Hampstead Heath
Jonathan Jones, who had been at the heath with his partner for exercise, estimated there were at least 50 officers at the scene.
He told the PA news agency: ‘On the way into the park, we heard and saw police car after police car and police vans streaming by.
‘We then got to the park entrance and three vans rolled in and there were a lot of police officers.’
Mr Jones said it wasn’t clear what had sparked the brawl but he saw two young girls being led away in handcuffs.
‘It looked as if the police were trying to break up a fight, and then at some point, it looks like someone was trying to go for one of the officers.’
Officers from Camden said they arrested a total of six people following the disturbance
The Heath has been subjected to Section 35 dispersal order for the rest of the night
He added: ‘More police came really quickly, and they broke everything up, and then ordered everyone to leave the park.’
Met Police Camden tweeted: ‘A S35 dispersal order is in place for Hampstead Heath & Parliament Hill. Please don’t attend these locations.
‘We were called at 6.30pm to youths fighting in P’ment Hill.
‘Officers attended and the majority of people dispersed. No reported injuries and 6 people have been arrested.’