‘Alcohol-fuelled violence’ at music and cultural fair
HUGE crowds stampeded into a music event in Southall at the weekend.
Norwood Green Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha has issued a damning condemnation of what it describes as “alcohol-fuelled violence and public urination” witnessed on Sunday afternoon at Southall Park, where the music, arts and cultural fair The Famous Punjabi Mela was being held.
Videos circulating online shows hundreds of people crowding outside the fenced-off event, which charged £10 for entry.
The videos then go on to show men climbing over the fence and women can be heard screaming before
those manning the gates were forced to let the crowd pour in.
Parents with pushchairs and young children were among those pouring into the event, being held in Norwood Green, which is a traditional Indian celebration.
In a statement, Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara said: “We are shocked by the scenes in Norwood Green this evening. Alcohol-fuelled violence, public urinating, smoking on Gurdwara-owned property. The event was not organised by the Gurdwara. It was held on fields owned by Ealing Council.”
The statement continued: “We had lodged our objections for exactly these reasons. The Norwood Hall playing fields are not a music venue, and must never be used for such an event. Any gurdwara members attending were there in their own personal capacity.”
Videos from inside the fair show thousands of people crowding to watch Jazzy B’s performance on the small stage at the family event, the number of people resembling that of a full-scale music festival.
Whilst the Gurdwara has criticised those drinking at the event, flyers for the fair make clear that no alcohol was to be sold by any of the food vendors on the site, meaning those drinking likely brought alcohol in with them.
The Met Police said they are not investigating any violence linked to the event.