Chief seeks video of Nuit Blanche melee

Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders is calling on anyone with video evidence of “reckless” violence directed at officers at Yonge-Dundas Square during the waning hours of Nuit Blanche to turn it over to police.

Saunders said the behaviour of the crowd that hurled debris and insults at officers early Sunday — the core group of which appeared to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol — could have caused serious injuries to the public. He expressed concerns that some bystanders seemed to regard it as some sort of performance event.

“It must be socially unacceptable,” Saunders said.

One police officer suffered a broken bone and two police helmets were cracked. Police confiscated a metal baton, a knife and an imitation gun.

A video at the event shows an officer hit in the head with what appears to be a bottle. 6:16 p.m. that police headquarters, at 40 College St., would be closed, along with the surrounding area until the situation was safe.

The bomb wasn’t brought into the building, police said, and the bomb squad came to the scene, along with two fire trucks, a dozen firefighters and an ambulance.

Police could not confirm whether other buildings on the block had been evacuated but the College subway station was open and a security guard led people through the entrance at Yonge and College Sts.

Arestaurant across the street, W Burger Bar, remained open behind the barricades, though its clientele was reduced to four tables, according to manager Alexandra Schindel.

The street was reopened at about 9 p.m.

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