Shocking moment dozens of teenagers brawl on Hampstead Heath as lockdown eases before 50 police swarm the area making six arrests
- Three van loads of police raced to Hampstead Heath in north London
- Eyewitnesses said at least 50 officers were involved in dispersing the teenagers
- Police confirmed that a majority of people dispersed when ordered by officers
- Police later imposed a Section 35 dispersal order because of the violent threat
Six people have been arrested following a brawl involving hundreds of youths on London’s Hampstead Heath.
Three van loads of police officers were deployed to the park at around 6.30pm on Tuesday to disperse the crowd.
A dispersal order is now in place for the heath and nearby Parliament Hill, the Met Police said, and the public have been told to stay away.
Six people have been arrested following a mass brawl on Hampstead Health in north London
At least 50 police officers arrived to disperse the group of teenagers on Hampstead Heath
At least 50 police officers arrived to disperse the group of teenagers on Hampstead Heath
Jonathan Jones, who had been at the heath with his partner for exercise, estimated there were at least 50 officers at the scene.
He told the PA news agency: ‘On the way into the park, we heard and saw police car after police car and police vans streaming by.
‘We then got to the park entrance and three vans rolled in and there were a lot of police officers.’
Mr Jones said it wasn’t clear what had sparked the brawl but he saw two young girls being led away in handcuffs.
‘It looked as if the police were trying to break up a fight, and then at some point, it looks like someone was trying to go for one of the officers.’
He added: ‘More police came really quickly, and they broke everything up, and then ordered everyone to leave the park.’
Met Police Camden tweeted: ‘A S35 dispersal order is in place for Hampstead Heath & Parliament Hill. Please don’t attend these locations.
‘We were called at 6.30pm to youths fighting in P’ment Hill.
‘Officers attended and the majority of people dispersed. No reported injuries and 6 people have been arrested.’
Officers from Camden said they arrested a total of six people following the disturbance
The Heath has been subjected to Section 35 dispersal order for the rest of the night