Shocking footage has shown the moment protesters clashing with police in south London – with one resident admitting the violence had left them “scared to leave home”.
Protesters have clashed with police in Camberwell after a demonstration related to “tensions in the Eritrean community”, Scotland Yard said yesterday. In total four Met officers were injured, one of whom required hospital treatment.
Clips circulating on social media appear to show angry demonstrators brandishing sticks and contronting officers, with several police vehicles in attendance.
One, shared by Liam Heath on X (formerly Twitter) showed large groups of youths some of of whom were hitting a police wagon with sticks. Mr Heath commented: “I just wanted to go to the corner shop man, what is this.”
In a second post, he added: ”Eritreans were protesting against their own government, apparently there were officials inside and that’s why it turned violent.
“Anything else about gang wars is nonsense to fit agendas.”
Another resident of the area told Express.co.uk: “It is chaos around here.
“I am terrified to leave my flat alone at night.
“The police need to get a grip on this but at the same time, they should not be forced to deal with it.
“It is unacceptable for them to be targeted in this way.”
Eight people were arrested for offences including violent disorder, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon and assault on an emergency worker, the Met has said.
There was still a heavy police presence on the scene in Camberwell Road last night, where an estimated 50 people earlier gathered outside a private venue before violence broke out.
The clashes are said to have taken place near The Lighthouse Theatre.
Additional officers were called in to provide back-up, Scotland Yard said.
A dispersal order was been put in place in the area until 7am today, giving police the power to exclude a person from the area.
