Seven officers injured after responding to unlicensed music event
Seven officers were injured when they were met with “unacceptable violence” after being called to an unlicensed music event in West London.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers had “bricks and other missiles being thrown at them” after responding to reports of a number of people gathered at an estate in Hammersmith and Fulham on Friday evening (July 3).
Officers attempted to engage the crowd to get them to leave the location but the group became hostile. A number of items were thrown at officers, who retreated in order to regroup.
Shortly after, specially trained public order officers entered the estate to disperse the group. They were met with further hostility and violence.
The MPS said all those in attendance had been dispersed by around 1.15am and a dispersal zone has been authorised under s35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 and a s60 order was now in place.
MPS Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “Officers have responded to residents complaining about a large gathering, noise, anti-social behaviour and violence.
“These gatherings are illegal and also pose a risk to public health.
“The violence shown towards officers this evening was totally unacceptable and we will not tolerate it in any form. Officers encountered bricks and other missiles being thrown at them. Our robust police response demonstrated that we will police incidents like these firmly and stop those intent on causing harm or disruption to our communities.”
The MPS said so far no arrests had been made.