Crackdown on violence as parties grow
POLICE vowed to crack down on violent revellers on Britain’s streets, following clashes across the country.
In the past three weeks 140 officers were injured in London, including 100 during the Black Lives Matter marches and far-right counter-protests.
Metropolitan Police commander Bas Javid promised to take a “much more thorough and a robust position” after the force spent three nights dealing with illegal gatherings.
Former Met commissioner Ian Blair said the situation raised important questions that “this level of injury to officers is seen as acceptable”.
Current commissioner Cressida Dick says she will shut down events that flout Covid-19 health regulations.
Friday saw three clashes at parties in Harrow, Newham andwest Kilburn.
Earlier in the week officers were pelted with objects in Notting Hill and dozens injured in violence at a party in Brixton.
Parties have sprung up in cities including Birmingham and Nottingham and bottles were thrown in Leigh-on-sea, Essex.
Police also came under attack at a 150-strong gathering in Moss Side, Manchester, on Friday and there were clashes as Liverpool fans celebrated the club’s long-awaited Premier League title win.
Ms Dick said: “Big street parties are illegal and reckless.these events should not be happening.” Mr Javid said yesterday: “We’re not going to arrest our way out of the situations like this. But...if these situations do descend into chaos and violence and disorder...we will take a much more thorough and robust position.
Urging a “public conversation” about the violence, Lord Blair said: “It cannot be right that this level of injury to officers is seen as acceptable.”
In Liverpool, crowds gathered on Pier Head on Friday and part of the Liver Building was set alight by fireworks.
Merseyside Police chief constable Andy Cooke said: “Children and families were present and heavy-handed police intervention was therefore not appropriate at the time.
“Later on in the night 15 people were arrested for violent disorder and my officers were subjected to a number of violent confrontations.”
A joint statement yesterday by Liverpool FC, the city council and police said: “Our city is still in a public health crisis and this behaviour is wholly unacceptable.”