A significant altercation occurred at Elm Park Primary School in Havering, Essex, when a birthday celebration was gatecrashed by a group of approximately 50 to 60 youths armed with knives and machetes. The incident transpired on Saturday, 22 March, shortly after 9 PM, during a party being held to commemorate a sixteenth birthday.
According to eyewitness accounts and video footage, chaos erupted in the school hall as the youths entered brandishing weapons, startling the attendees and leading to a mass exodus of frightened teenagers. Reports indicate that two males, aged 16 and 19, sustained suspected knife injuries during the incident and were transported to the hospital, where their injuries were assessed as neither life-threatening nor life-changing.
Local residents expressed shock at the events, describing the scene as "total chaos." One resident recounted witnessing "between 40-50 youths running through the streets," noting that they appeared to be dropping weapons in the driveways of nearby homes as they fled the scene. The resident elaborated that the youths were "attacking the police" who responded to the situation, and given the overwhelming number of individuals involved, law enforcement ultimately had to disperse them.
The Metropolitan Police were alerted to the situation shortly after the initial reports of fighting emerged on Calbourne Avenue, Hornchurch. Upon arrival, officers engaged with a number of aggressive teenagers. Three individuals were subsequently arrested on suspicion of assaulting emergency workers and were taken to an East London police station. They have been released on bail, pending further investigation.
In a statement, a police spokesperson confirmed that officers were treated at the scene by paramedics from London Ambulance Service and did not require additional medical attention. The police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of violence, and are appealing for anyone with information related to the incident to come forward. Investigation efforts remain ongoing as authorities gather evidence, including photographs or videos, from witnesses to aid in their inquiries.
Source: Noah Wire Services