The Metropolitan Police has vowed to crack down on disorder in Clapham, said to be fuelled by an online trend, which has seen teenagers storm the area’s high street twice in recent days.
Officers responded to reports of anti-social behaviour involving a group of several hundred young people in Clapham High Street and Clapham Common, south London, from around 5pm on Tuesday, according to the Met.
Young people were reported to be attempting to access shops and a restaurant on Clapham High Street as well as lighting fires and setting off fireworks on Clapham Common, the force said.
Similar behaviour had taken place in the same area on Saturday night, with videos shared widely on social media on Monday.
Footage circulating on social media appears to show large crowds of young people, many wearing masks, gathering on Clapham High Street on Tuesday evening, as several supermarkets closed their doors.
In one TikTok video, smoke was seen billowing from Clapham Common while a number of police officers attended the scene. A caption on the video read: “Do NOT attend Clapham Courts linkups.”
A dispersal order was put in place on Tuesday night and around 100 officers were involved in the police’s response.
Five people were assaulted, including four police officers. One officer was taken to hospital as a precaution after suffering an injury to his arm while making an arrest.
Three girls, a 17-year-old and two aged 13, were arrested on Tuesday night on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.
The 17-year-old has been charged and bailed to appear at court later this month. The two 13-year-olds have been granted bail.
The Met said more arrests will follow in coming days, adding that officers are also working to identify those who played a leading or organising role.
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.
“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.
“If you join in or cause further disorder, you should expect to be arrested and risk a criminal record, which can have long-lasting consequences for your future, including employment opportunities and potentially your ability to travel.
“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.”
Elaine Canning, store manager of Tapi Carpets and Floors on Clapham High Street, said a pregnant woman was among those to shelter inside her store while the chaos took place on Tuesday.
Ms Canning told The Independent on Wednesday: “On Saturday there were some people that came and stood in the shop, just people walking by that came in for cover.
“Last night as well there was a pregnant lady and her husband, they came in for about 10 to 15 minutes.”
She added: “She would be [panicked], being pregnant, you would be worried about being knocked over.
“But I don’t think they were physically threatening towards members of the public, to be fair.”
The store manager described the scenes which unfolded as “scary” but said that those who gathered were mainly targeting food shops.
Ms Canning said she had been told by other people who worked on the road to be vigilant on Tuesday afternoon, as they had heard of another planned gathering, which appeared to have been advertised on social media.
