Shocking bodycam footage shows police running away from missile-hurling yobs at Brixton illegal rave - one of 530 in London in last month including 86 on Saturday

Police officers were left running for safety from aggressive crowds who pelted them with bottles in south London during an illegal rave last month.

Shocking body-cam footage released by the Metropolitan Police today showed members of the force fleeing for cover after angry yobs began to fire bottles and other objects at them during an illegal rave at an estate in Brixton on June 25.

The scenes, which left 22 officers injured and saw police vehicles smashed, come after figures released by the police revealed around 530 illegal raves have been organised across London in the past month.

During the footage, officers run across the street in London as they are chased by the missile-hurling yobs.

+3

Footage released by the Metropolitan Police shows officers running for safety as angry crowds pelted them with bottles and other objects during an illegal rave at an estate in Brixton on June 25

The officers then group together and form a barricade as the aggressive crowds continue to fire at them, with voices in the background shouting 'hold the line' and 'missiles, missiles'.  

Police have also released 999 calls from residents reporting illegal raves, with one man calling the scenes 'insane.'

During one call, one man can be heard saying: 'Hi, there's an illegal rave outside. There's hundreds of them and they are all very noisy, very crowdy and there's more coming.'

While another person tells a 999 operator: 'It's just scary, I'm not being funny, it just is.'

Elsewhere another person can be heard telling police: 'Now it's insane they've blockaded the road and stuff.'     

Earlier today Scotland Yard vowed to continue to shut down the 'dangerous' unlicensed music events and seize sound systems to tackle the surge in street parties since Covid-19 lockdown measures have been eased.   

The Metropolitan Police said information about more than 530 events across the capital has been received since the Brixton rave, with police responding to 23 a day.

Some 86 separate incidents were reported last Saturday alone, including an illegal rave at an estate in Finsbury Park, north London, where objects were again thrown at officers trying to disperse crowds.

Commander Ade Adelekan said: 'There can be doubt that unlicensed music events are dangerous and highly disruptive for local communities.

'Communities caught in the middle of an event have a miserable time, with large crowds turning up at their estate and playing loud music and consuming alcohol, and at times, drugs and causing damage.

'The fear they create is totally unacceptable.'

He added: 'What is of great concern to me is the very real risk that these events will result in violence.

'During previous events a small minority have targeted police officers with extreme violence, resulting in police officers being injured.

'We also have to remember that the country remains in a national health crisis.

+3

Officers run for safety as angry crowds continue to launch objects at them during an illegal rave

+3

Members of the force form a barricade on the street as angry crowds launch objects at them 

Met Police release footage of rave-turned-riot in Brixton

Loaded: 0%

Progress: 0%

0:00

Previous

Play

Skip

Mute

Current Time0:00

/

Duration Time0:55

Fullscreen

Need Text

'It is vitally important we all play our part in avoiding mass gatherings to help protect ourselves, family and friends.

'It is because of this, we will not standby and allow these events to happen. They will be shut down.'    

The Met also said officers will work with organisers and local authorities to shut down illegal raves and will use laws to seize sound systems and laptops or break up crowds and make arrests if people fail to comply.

Commander Adelekan, added: 'I would urge anyone who has any information on a UME to reach out and let us know.

'The earlier we have information, the sooner we can act and ensure that crowds are sent away and sounds systems are turned off and seized.'

Police across the country have had to deal with a surge in illegal raves since lockdown restrictions were eased.

Avon and Somerset Police said they were powerless to stop an illegal rave near Bath swarming with more than 3,000 party-goers last weekend.

The event, at the former RAF Charmy Down airfield about three miles from the city, began late on Saturday but was not shut down until Sunday afternoon.

Last Saturday, Greater Manchester Police said they dismantled a planned event after talking to audio equipment suppliers.

The force said they are monitoring for future planned raves after two large-scale unlicensed events in June.