Seven police officers injured after being pelted with bottles and bricks in west London

3 July 2020, 23:41

By Nick Hardinges

@NHardinges

Seven police officers have been injured after being pelted with bottles and bricks while breaking up an illegal party at a block of west London flats.

A video on social media appears to show riot police running into the flats while shouting at people to "get back" in an attempt to break up the unlicenced music event on Havelock Close, White City, in west London.

In separate footage, posted by the same user, the officers can then be seen retreating from the flats as a crowd of people chase them out to the street while appearing to throw glass bottles.

Riot vans from the Metropolitan Police's Territorial Support Group (TSG) have been pictured at the scene and are continuing to engage with and disperse the crowd.

A police statement released later in the evening said the crowd became hostile after officers engaged with them.

People then began throwing a number of items at the police, forcing them to retreat so they could regroup.

Specially trained public order officers were then called into the estate to disperse the group.

A Dispersal Zone has been authorised under section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 and a section 60 order is in place.

Sadiq Khan said today: "It’s disgraceful that police officers came under attack with some suffering injuries at an illegal gathering in White City last night.

"Violence against the police will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be caught and prosecuted."

Read more: Police break up 'unlicensed music events' on Tooting Bec and Clapham Common in London

Read more: Riot police break up street party in north-west London

A tweet by Hammersmith and Fulham MPS read: "Police are aware of a number of people gathered this evening at an unlicenced music event in Havelock Close W12.

"Officers are in attendance & engaging with those present and encouraging them to leave."

One Twitter user said they had seen a helicopter circling the area for around 60 minutes.

Tak Kovacs wrote: "White City is absolutely kicking off tonight, this helicopter has been here for like an hour now."

Another wrote: "Party in White City London, over 100 young people open party, police arrived and chased out, flying bottles and items thrown at police, police left the scene, possible waiting for riot police."

Read more: Police attacked at illegal music event in Notting Hill amid rave crackdown

Earlier in the day, Hammersmith and Fulham MPS confirmed a Section 60 had been authorised from 3pm on Friday until 6am on Saturday.

The service wrote on Twitter: "This is due to information received relating to planned Unlicensed Music/BBQ events taking place within the locations.

"Intelligence suggests that these events will be attended by West and South gang members.

"This has previously led to violence and disorder."

DAC Laurence Taylor said: “Officers have responded to residents complaining about a large gathering, noise, anti-social behaviour and violence.

“These gatherings are illegal and also pose a risk to public health.

“The violence shown towards officers this evening was totally unacceptable and we will not tolerate it in any form.

"Officers encountered bricks and other missiles being thrown at them.

"Our robust police response demonstrated that we will police incidents like these firmly and stop those intent on causing harm or disruption to our communities.”