Police attacked as they try to clear crowds at illegal music event in Notting Hill

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Police officers attempting to disperse crowds at an unlicensed music event in west London have been attacked by revellers.

Scotland Yard said objects were thrown at officers trying to break up the crowd at an event at Colville Gardens, Notting Hill, on Thursday night.

It comes after violence at a street party in Brixton on Wednesday evening left 22 officers injured.

Following the scenes on Thursday, Kensington and Chelsea Police tweeted: "Officers are at the scene of an unlicensed music event near Colville Gardens.

They added: ”Objects have been thrown at officers dispersing the crowd. Violence will not be tolerated & units are responding appropriately.

"This gathering is illegal & we ask anyone in attendance to leave."

People in Notting Hill

Mother of one Hanna Honey described how hundreds of revellers flooded her street at an illegal event which even had a DJ.

She said: “It was horrendous the party started at 7pm and the police didn’t arrive till 2am. These parties have been going on for a week and the police have done nothing.

"I have a child and there are lot of people shielding because of Covid in my building. The music has been blaring out and people have been turning up in taxis, on scooters, you name it.

“It’s been so stressful they leave piles of rubbish and urinate in the street, it’s disgusting. They even had their own DJ last night and they block the road. It’s lawless and the police need to crack down.”

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: “These parties are totally out of order. They even bring barrels of beer and sell pints on the street. It’s like a nightclub. We can’t sleep and they leave the area like a rubbish tip. I am writing to my local MP.”

Scotland Yard said in a statement on Facebook late on Thursday that its officers were undertaking an "enhanced policing operation" across the capital.

Commander Bas Javid said extra officers, clad in personal protective equipment, had been called in to ensure there was an "effective and prompt response to any reports or disorder".

He added: "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."

Meanwhile, police also attended an "unlicensed music event" at Streatham Common on Thursday evening.

The force tweeted: "Officers are currently at Streatham Common where an unlicensed music event is taking place.

"They have engaged with a large number of those in attendance and the crowd has now almost entirely dispersed."

Extra police officers in protective gear were dispatched to illegal raves planned around London following "appalling scenes" of violence at a street party in Brixton on Wednesday.

The Met Police said it was targeting further unlicensed music events and block parties around the city after 22 officers were injured on the Angell Town estate in Brixton.

Footage on social media showed police vehicles smashed and officers pelted with bottles during clashes with a large crowd, with Downing Street condemning the scenes as "appalling" and Home Secretary Priti Patel calling the incident "utterly vile".

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