Police have issued a statement announcing a ‘robust and visible’ policing plan, following teenager ‘link-up’ chaos that occurred yesterday, and last Saturday in Clapham.
The Met’s statement follows yesterday’s events, as many Clapham High Street businesses were forced to close after a large group of adolescents caused chaos, which lead to the arrest of three teenage girls.
The South West London high street was filled with children following a planned ‘link-up’ via social media, quickly becoming out of control and prompting extensive police engagement, forcing small independent shops and large businesses to temporarily close.
Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond, who leads policing in the area, said: “We have a clear plan in place should any further disorder take place in the coming days and are in close contact with our partners and businesses in the area.
“Our officers will continue to maintain a strong, visible presence around Clapham and we will respond robustly to any reports of disorder, thefts or planned meet-ups.”
This follows a similar occurrence on Saturday in Clapham Common, an incident which led to the arrest of three others.
Police issued a Section 35 Dispersal Order following potential signals that last night’s events would happen via social media.
A dispersal order allows police officers to exclude people above the age of 10 from certain areas over a period of 48 hours to combat challenging and anti-social behaviour.
The Met plans on investigating CCTV footage and stated that more arrests are likely to follow.
Footage on social media shows a large number of adolescents running through the streets, pouring in and out of supermarkets, local restaurants and businesses.
Clapham resident Giulia Marchetti saw the events unfold through her window, she said: “I was lucky, because it all happened just after I got home from work.”
“I was quite worried, as the situation seemed out of control. There were so many adolescents involved in the event – I had never seen anything like that before.
“I was most worried that so many people, especially children and elderly people, could have been injured.
“I was also worried that shops could have been damaged and that staff might have been put in danger. It felt very chaotic and dangerous.
“I think the police did their best, but at the same time there were too many people involved, so it was impossible to keep the situation under control.
“I am worried it might happen again. I say this because the police had been informed about the gathering several days in advance, but this did not seem to prevent the event from happening. It could become something regular.”
The South West Londoner spoke to local independent businesses affected by the event, describing the police response as extremely effective and well communicated.
Speaking to Sheikh Awais of a local restaurant, ‘Roosters Spot’, he said: “At least 70, 80 children came into our shop. I told them please go outside politely.
“Some children went outside, and some were aggressive and shouting at us, and then the police came inside as well.”
The police asked the owner to shut the store temporarily for two hours until the situation was controlled and to prevent any negative impacts on their business.
Awais said: “The police were very cooperative with us yesterday.
“I want to just say thank you. I feel that when the police came, I was okay. Before I was scared.”
In the Met Police update, DCS Bond said: “I’d urge those young people who think this is just a bit of fun to carefully consider the consequences. Events like this, fuelled by online trends and viral content on platforms such as TikTok, can quickly escalate and lead to serious outcomes.”
With the Easter break in full swing, the tendency for online ‘link-ups’ in specific areas has increased, and residents expressed their concerns about the behaviour continuing over the holidays.
Scotland Yard confirmed that around 100 officers were deployed, with four of them being assaulted and one injured.
Towards the end of her statement, Bond said: “There is widespread CCTV coverage on streets and in businesses in the area and we’re already reviewing that footage, as well as officers’ body worn video cameras, to identify those who committed offences on Saturday and last night.
“The parents/ guardians of those involved in last night’s disorder also have a role to play. I’d appeal to them to take responsibility – to be proactive in knowing where their children are and who they’re with, and to take steps to make sure they’re not involved in this sort of unacceptable antisocial behaviour.”
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