Met Police issue response as protest turns into huge fight on London's street
Video footage emerged last night of rival groups of men fighting and throwing missiles at each other in east London.
Two officers from the Metropolitan Police sustained injuries after several 999 calls were made last night, as violence erupted in Whitechapel, east London.
Two groups of men faced off, throwing projectiles at each other, in an episode the Met believes is linked to protests in Bangladesh.
The violence appeared to have started on Gretorex Street just before 8pm on Thurs.
Officers intervened to separate the groups. one man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence.
Protective shields were used as the officers formed a barrier between opposing crowds. Projectiles were thrown towards the officers, with two sustaining injuries as a result
The scene in #Whitechapel, London moments before the police arrived tonight. Scores of men with weapons charging at an office building over Bangladeshi politics. Not Britain’s. WTF have they done to us. https://t.co/zto47klyAK pic.twitter.com/Licq60XmsS
— Darren Grimes (@darrengrimes_) July 18, 2024
Detective Superintendent James Conway, who is in charge of policing in Tower Hamlets and Hackney, thanked his officers and added: "This was a serious incident, and had it not been for the decisive intervention of local officers and other Met colleagues, it could well have resulted in more serious injuries, further damage or worse.
"I recognise that events that take place in Bangladesh can have a significant impact on communities hear in Tower Hamlets, but we cannot allow that strength of feeling to tip intro threats, violence and disorder.
"I am grateful to those in the community who stood alongside my officers last night and encouraged calm. In the coming days I would appeal to others to follow their lead and to avoid further escalation.
"Residents will see a visible police presnece in the area over the coming days."
The BBC reports that so far 33 people have died following protests in the south Asian country.
A ban on public rallies has been imposed, but students are defying it by collecting in the capital Dhaka.
There is reportedly a communications shutdown in place, after protests erupted over the government's new job quota for the families of veterans of the country's independence war in 1971.
Demonstrators are demanding the quota is scrapped and that employment in Bangladesh is based on merit.
