London funfair: Seven arrests after huge mob of 'idiot' teenagers storm bank holiday fair

13 April 2022, 10:59 | Updated: 13 April 2022, 11:40

Seven people were arrested after a a disturbance (right) at Blackheath funfair (pictured on the left in 2012)
Seven people were arrested after a a disturbance (right) at Blackheath funfair (pictured on the left in 2012). Picture: Alamy/Twitter @juliazippos

By Daisy Stephens

Seven arrests were made after a large crowd of youths stormed a bank holiday funfair in south London.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Parents were urged to keep their children at home "for their own safety" after large-scale disorder at Blackheath funfair on Tuesday. Footage shared online showed a huge crowd of youths running amok on the common, and a heavy police response, with riot vans and officers forced to create a human barrier to disperse the crowd.

Police said they were called at 4.20pm after reports of "antisocial behaviour and a number of assaults" at Greenwich Park.

Officers put up a cordon and dispersed the crowd by around 6.15pm. A large group are thought to have arranged to meet at the funfair site. using social media app TikTok, before the chaotic scenes erupted.

Scotland Yard said: "Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and related offences."

Read more: London funfair shut down after 'violent incidents and stabbing' as kids told 'stay home'

Read more: Judge praises 'inspiring' Insulate Britain eco-mob as he fines them for M25 protests

Police said despite earlier reports of a stabbing, no victim was found so officers were confident none had taken place.

The fair will reopen at 1pm on Wednesday.

The organisers said that, whilst the police had concluded the incidents were not "instigated by the presence of the fair", additional security will be in place when it reopens as a precaution.

They added that teenagers would only be allowed in if they were accompanied by an adult.

'Large-scale' disorder at funfair in south London

The Royal Borough of Greenwich Twitter account urged all parents to make sure their children are "nowhere near the area, for their own safety".

One Facebook user, who said she was at the fair, said: "It was quite scary the amount of young kids in groups following the security guard then running from one end to the other when the police turned up.

"Little kids were around and it's lucky they were not knocked over."

Read more: Biden accuses Putin of genocide as Zelenskyy mocks claim war is 'going to plan'

Read more: PM 'deserves to be trusted' but partygate response 'not good enough', says Lord Frost

Others branded the behaviour "disgusting", with one person saying: "Shame on these idiots [spoiling] it for the rest."

The organisers have also been flooded with online support.

"So glad your (sic) reopening & not letting what happened yesterday put you off," wrote one Facebook user.

"I've come to your fair for many years & really love it."

Blackheath fair organiser Joe Noyce said: "I'd like to thank the police for their swift action in dealing with the large group of youths seeking to cause disruption and unrest in this area of Blackheath Common.

"As a family business ourselves, we want to ensure families coming to our fair feels safe, so we have enlisted additional onsite security, and are grateful by police reassurances of additional patrols in the local area."

Update Both the council and the police have advised us to resume normal operations from 1pm Wednesday. The incidents...

Posted by Blackheath bank holiday fun fair on Tuesday, April 12, 2022

The Met police said in a statement: "Police were called at about 16:20hrs on Tuesday, 12 April following reports of antisocial behaviour and a number of assaults at Greenwich Park.

"A stabbing has also been reported; following a thorough search of the area no victim was found.

"Officers are therefore content that no stabbing took place.

"A number of police resources were sent to the scene and a cordon was put in place to help disperse the large number of people in attendance. By about 18:15hrs the area had been cleared.

"A section 60 was authorised and was in place until 07:00hrs on Wednesday, 13 April.

"Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and related offences."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a welcome reception at the Britain's ambassador's residence on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in Washington. (Carl Court/Pool Photo via AP)

Sir Keir Starmer arrives at the White House ahead of crunch talks with Donald Trump over Ukraine

William paid tribute to the Hollywood star

Prince William pays tribute to Gene Hackman after Hollywood star and his wife found dead at home

Commuters buy tickets at King's Cross underground station on January 2, 2020 in London, England.

Blow for commuters as Tube and train fares to rise nearly 5% on Sunday

Bucharest, Romania

Andrew Tate has assets returned to him by Romanian authorities as brothers arrive in the US

Gene Hackman and his wife

Gene Hackman and wife dead for 'some time' and found in different rooms, police say, as family suspect 'gas leak'

Floral tributes to the victim left at the scene of the attack on Cobhorn Drive in Bristol

Owner of ‘XL Bully’ that savaged woman, 19, to death in Bristol screamed ‘they’ve killed my dog’ as police shot at it

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Michelle Trachtenberg

'I will always love you': Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar shares heartbreaking tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg

Chris Hughes

Eggheads quiz expert Chris Hughes dies aged 77 as show pays tribute

The rules of international law are simple: any ‘peace deal’ must be based on Ukraine’s sovereignty or risk being worthless

The rules of international law are simple: Any ‘peace deal’ must be based on Ukraine’s sovereignty or risk being worthless

Sophie Goode, 18, died in a horror e-bike crash on Nottingham University campus.

Pictured: Female student, 18, who died in horror e-bike crash on university campus

The shooting took place in Dalston last year.

Three arrested after girl, 9, shot and left ‘unable to speak or move’ after going out for ice cream with family

The teenager took his parents to family court to try and return to his home in London.

British boy, 14, forced to stay in Ghana after losing court case against parents who left him behind

Gene Hackman and his wife

Police seek search warrant for home of Gene Hackman after star’s mystery death alongside wife and dog

Former Co-op Bank boss Paul Flowers arrives at Manchester Magistrates' Court. Mr Flowers, 74, has been jailed for three years at Manchester Crown Court after admitting 18 counts of fraud worth nearly £100,000 against an elderly and vulnerable friend. I

'Crystal methodist' former bank chief Paul Flowers jailed for defrauding elderly friend

Patrick Conneely was forced off his bike

Horror footage shows moment hammer-wielding 'bikejackers' force man off £4,200 bicycle in Regent's Park

Floral tributes to the victim left at the scene of the attack on Cobhorn Drive in Bristol

Woman, 19, dies in 'XL Bully' attack at Bristol flat