Police’s f ive-hour battle to break up rave mob
RIOT cops came under a hail of bricks and bottles as they shut down an illegal rave early yesterday – just hours after beleaguered police chiefs vowed a ‘swift and robust’ crackdown.
Officers were pelted with canisters of laughing gas and even a bicycle at the drug-fuelled party attended by up to 1,000 revellers who later complained that the event had ‘barely got started’ when police moved in.
The Metropolitan Police said two men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested for violent disorder and obstruction in Finsbury Park, North London, They remained in custody while one officer needed hospital treatment for bruised ribs.
Angry residents called police who arrived at 11pm on Friday, only hours after Met Commissioner Cressida Dick said she would take tougher action against unlicensed music events following Home Secretary Priti Patel’s criticism of a soft approach. As a police helicopt er circled above, ri ot police marched on to the Woodberry Down Estate where the rave was being held. It took five hours to clear the area, with videos posted on social media showing revellers throwing kerbstone bricks and bottles at officers.
Scotland Yard later vowed to deploy more officers on the streets in anticipation of more illegal raves and violent crimes in the event of warmer weather.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner L u c y D’ Or s i said: ‘ Of f i c e r s responded to calls from residents concerned about a large gathering, noise, anti- social behaviour and violence. The disorder they encountered is totally unacceptable as is the fear I am sure this generates amongst the local community, who called the police for help.’