Police break up further illegal raves as extra officers deployed across London
It comes after more than 20 officers were injured during an illegal street party in Brixton, south London.
Friday 26 June 2020 10:11, UK
Police officers attempting to disperse crowds at an illegal rave in Notting Hill, west London, have been attacked by revellers.
Objects were thrown at officers in Colville Gardens, police said. There were no reports of serious injury and the crowd dispersed at around 2am.
Sky News reporter Noel Phillips attended the scene of a separate illegal rave in Tottenham, north London, where police officers congregated near a crowd of people outside a venue.
Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News the violence "against the police who are just doing their jobs is totally unacceptable".
"I know the home secretary has already made that clear," he said.
"We know months of restrictions that people are frustrated and want to come together in gatherings. But these illegal raves are obviously unacceptable."
Earlier, the Met Police said extra police officers had been deployed across London overnight as further illegal raves, music events and block parties were anticipated.
Officers also attended an "unlicensed music event" at Streatham Common in south London on Thursday evening.
The force tweeted at 12.43am: "They have engaged with a large number of those in attendance and the crowd has now almost entirely dispersed."
It comes after more than 20 officers were injured and police cars were smashed up during an illegal street party in Brixton, south London, on Wednesday night.
Police said they will continue to engage with communities and respond to emergency calls as usual, but "will not tolerate the violence we have recently seen in London".
Commander Bas Javid said: "We remain in a public health crisis and these unlicensed events are illegal.
"Our role is to keep our communities safe and this evening people can expect to see a heightened police presence out in areas where we know these events are taking place.
"This is in direct response to concerns expressed by our communities, many of whom were scared and shocked by the events taking place outside their homes."
Mr Javid said that the additional officers have been equipped with enhanced personal protective gear and may have teams from the Dog Support Unit with them.
He added: "We cannot accept the levels of violence that were directed towards our officers... and the damage caused to public and private property."
Home Secretary Priti Patel said those who attack police "will be taken off our streets", telling the Daily Express: "The police have my full support in upholding the rule of law and tackling this thuggery.
"I want to see those responsible arrested, brought to justice and taken off our streets - before they put even more people in danger."
Footage on social media from Wednesday night showed a line of police officers retreating from crowds of people running at them with makeshift weapons near the Angell Town estate in Brixton.
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Police said they were called by concerned residents to the illegal street party but were met by a "hostile" crowd.
Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said that nearly 30 officers were hurt in the incident.
He said it was "absolutely shocking", adding: "We are rufty-tufty and can deal with violent disorder but it's not pleasant and it's not nice to have to go somewhere where someone wants to try and kill you."
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that large gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic are "deeply irresponsible and risk others' lives".
A Section 60 order, which gives police powers to stop and search without reasonable suspicion, was later put in place in the area.