ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJess WarrenLondonPolice were called to Clapham High Street at 17:00 BST on TuesdaySix teenage girls have been arrested after two separate incidents of anti-social behaviour "fuelled by online trends" in south-west London, the Met Police said.
About 100 officers were called to Clapham High Street on Tuesday where young people were reported to be attempting to access shops and a restaurant. They also lit fires and set off fireworks on Clapham Common.
Three girls were arrested, after five people were assaulted, including four police officers. One suffered an injury while making an arrest. On Saturday, the force attended a similar disturbance, and arrested three others.
Sir Sadiq Khan said it was "appalling" and those responsible would "face the full force of the law".
On Tuesday, three girls, one aged 17 and two aged 13, were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker after police were called to the scene at about 17:00 BST.
The 17-year-old was charged and bailed to appear at court later this month. The two 13-year-olds were granted bail.
The Met added that on Saturday, three teenage girls were arrested on suspicion of theft and assault following anti-social behaviour involving a large group of young people on the High Street.
The force said more arrests would be made in the coming days, following the incidents on Tuesday and Saturday.
"Just because you have not yet been arrested does not mean you will not be," a spokesperson for the force said, adding that specialist officers were using CCTV coverage and officers' body worn video cameras to identify those involved.
Christine said she was walking with her husband and baby in Clapham High Street when she saw hundreds of young people, adding: "I think it took everyone by surprise."
She continued: "We weren't sure what was going on initially. There were a lot of police and police cars. You don't see that very often, even having such a heavy police presence was very unusual.
"It was clearly people up to no good. It was quite intimidating, especially with a new baby."
She added: "It's a great neighbourhood, I'm sure it's just a one off. The police were very good yesterday, it was reassuring to have so many around."
Clapham resident Aisling said it was scary but added that any number of people in a big group was scary, no matter the age.
"Nobody wants to see violence in this area. I hope everyone in the shops and everyone passing by is okay."
She said the closure of shops was a "massive shame", adding: "They might have lost quite a lot of money from that. A lot of the staff are very frightened."
Det Ch Sup Emma Bond, who leads policing in the area, said urged young people who thought it was "a bit of fun" to "carefully consider the consequences".
"Events like this, fuelled by online trends and viral content on platforms such as TikTok, can quickly escalate and lead to serious outcomes," she said.
"If you join in or cause further disorder, you should expect to be arrested and risk a criminal record, which can have long-lasting consequences for your future, including employment opportunities and potentially your ability to travel."
Bond called on parents and guardians "to take responsibility" and be proactive in knowing where their children were and to take steps to make sure they were not involved antisocial behaviour.
A policing plan, including increasing officer numbers and using dispersal orders, is in place.
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