A teenage boy has been arrested in Burgess Park amid reports of fresh violence the night after two teenagers were stabbed during the worst outbreak of youth violence since the 2011 riots.
Trouble flared for a second night running in the south London park as dozens of young men and women congregated by the lakes on another sweltering day in the capital.
Eyewitnesses told the Standard police maintained a heavy presence throughout the evening as officers engaged in “confrontations” with some of the youths.
Police confirmed a 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon but that no violence or injuries were reported.
Student Azura Farid, 22, told the Standard more and more officers arrived at the park over the course of the evening which created an "uneasy" atmosphere.
She said: “I didn’t see anyone get arrested or anything violent other than a few confrontations but as more officers arrived on foot I did become more anxious.”
Another witness Polly Raven told Southwark News riot police were called in response to an “aggressive” fight which had broken out near the lake.
She told the newspaper: “As I approached the lake I saw loads of teenagers hanging around. They were just having water pistol fights. It looked innocent enough.
“But a fight broke out on the other side of the lake and it sounded quite aggressive. The police in the park ran over to break it up, and it looked like they called for back-up.
“The group of youths started running straight at the police. The police got out their batons, then the youths started throwing bottles. That’s when riot vans showed up.
“They kept on charging at the police and the police kind of retreated. That’s when I decided to leave. It looked like the police had it under control, when I was walking away.”
The fresh round of trouble comes just 24 hours after two 16-year-olds were stabbed at the Camberwell park after a huge end of term water fight on the hottest day of the year so far in the capital.
The incident was one of several across London as riot police were called to Hyde Park where at least three people were knifed, including a police officer.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the shocking violence across the capital was "fuelled by the hot weather" as he condemned the clashes.
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