Police warn more arrests will be made after Clapham chaos
Police have warned that more arrests are expected to be made after chaos erupted with large crowds of young people gathering and forcing shops to close in Clapham.
Hundreds of masked youths gathered on Clapham High Street as the teenagers wearing balaclavas forced themselves into shops in the area yesterday (March 31) from around 5pm.
A few fires were started around the centre of the Clapham Common park, with smoke billowing and fireworks set alight.
Around 100 officers responded to the disorder as five people - including four police officers - were assaulted.
While three arrests were made at the time, police have urged those involved to consider the consequences of their action.
The Metropolitan Police claims that more arrests will be made over the coming days as officers trawl through CCTV and body-worn video.
It said: "Just because you have not yet been arrested, does not mean you will not be.
"Specialist officers are also working to identify those who played a leading or organising role, so that ring leaders and others encouraging this behaviour can be held to account."
What happened?
One officer was taken to hospital as a precaution after facing an arm injury while making an arrest.
Three girls - one aged 17 and two 13 - were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.
The 17-year-old has been charged and bailed to appear at court later this month while the 13-year-old girls have been granted bail.
Clips circulating online show mass groups pushing themselves into shops, running around the street and screaming.
Police were already at the scene as a Section 35 dispersal order was already in place following similar scenes that took place last Saturday (March 28).
Clapham (Image: @CrimeLdn and @DJ_DECKS73)
In the last event, three girls - two 16 and one 15 - were arrested for shoplifting and assault.
It is understood that both incidents were arranged online through TikTok as part of a social media trend.
People were reportedly encouraged to target local shops and demand their goods.
Videos began circulating online following the events on Saturday that a part two was planned for yesterday.
How is this being prevented?
The Met says it has a strong policing plan in place to prevent and deal with any future disorder.
This includes increasing policing numbers in the area and using dispersal orders as officers take a zero-tolerance approach.
Ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend, the Met has also made clear that anyone involved in similar events or caught promoting them will be dealt with decisively.