A busy London high street was closed off after hundreds of young people brawled outside a tube station.
About 200 people, believed to be in their late teens, were thought to have been involved in the fighting in Walthamstow, east London, at around 5pm on Tuesday.
Footage posted on social media under the hashtag #Walthamstowriots showed large groups of teenagers shouting and beating each other. One person can be seen rolling around on the floor as Metropolitan police officers try to restrain her.
Police said the group was dispersed shortly before 9pm. Three people were arrested, but no one was injured.
Officers remained on the scene to ensure that the group remained dispersed and an investigation has been launched into the incident.
Large group of youths in #Walthamstow area now dispersed. No injuries and 3 arrests. 1/2
— Waltham Forest MPS (@MPSWForest) October 6, 2015
Officers remaining in #Walthamstow area to ensure the group remains dispersed. Investigation into incident is ongoing. 2/2
— Waltham Forest MPS (@MPSWForest) October 6, 2015
#WalthamstowRiots 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/jV7P4Ssd6x
— najma (@najma_yo) October 6, 2015
Royal Rumble #WalthamstowRiots pic.twitter.com/irPNSTpLaX
— Mr A1 (@A1Pabs) October 6, 2015
Gavin Rugg, who witnessed the incident, said he saw about 15 men fighting in Hoe street, and several other smaller clashes between young people nearby.
He told the Evening Standard: “I just came out of Walthamstow Central station and they mentioned there had been a police incident.
“There were some guys wearing hoodies who were facing off with police. It looked like they were arresting someone.
“I was surprised – I have only moved to the area a couple of months ago from Stockwell and I have never seen anything like this before.”
Local MP Stella Creasy urged people to avoid the area. “Furious to hear there is a fight outside Walthamstow Central station – will be following up with police but pls stay clear of area for now,” she tweeted.
Furious to hear there is a fight outside Walthamstow Central station - will be following up with police but pls stay clear of area for now.
— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) October 6, 2015
A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: “Shortly after 5pm, police were called to reports of a large group of youths causing a disturbance in the Hoe Street/Station Approach area of Walthamstow.
“The group, approximately 200 aged in their late teens, were dispersed by around 8.45pm. There are no reports of any persons with injuries at this time.
“Officers currently remain in the area to ensure the group remains dispersed. Three people have been arrested – one for possession of an offensive weapon, two for affray – and taken into custody.
“An investigation into the circumstances of the incident by Waltham Forest borough officers is ongoing.”
The incident followed another fight involving more than 100 young people at a branch of McDonald’s in Hoe Street on Monday afternoon, the Standard reported.
