This is the moment hundreds of people smashed through barriers to witness the New Year’s fireworks in London, when a major brawl broke out in front of horrified families at Piccadilly Circus.
Videos from the situation in central London show throngs of people pushing over barriers to get to the event, while police confirm they used batons to control the crowd in Westminster.
Officers could be seen attempting to prevent people from passing as they ran cheering towards the Mayor of London’s fireworks display.
For the first three hours after the event’s doors opened at 8:00 p.m., there were no reports of significant issues.
From approximately 11:15 p.m. until midnight, there were a number of events, including the passage of unticketed groups across Westminster Bridge.
The Metropolitan Police issued the following statement: ‘Officers worked swiftly in challenging conditions to assist stewards in preventing crowds from entering the ticketed area and maintaining the safety and security of those already inside.
Children were spotted fleeing the area as a man seized a crutch from another man who was shouting.
At the intersection of Storey’s Gate and Victoria Street, they were forced to draw their batons when a small but determined mob that had pushed down fence panels in an attempt to gain entry turned hostile towards stewards and officers.
A few people received treatment for minor injuries.
A gang of guys clashed in downtown London in front of terrified families with children during New Year’s Eve festivities on Saturday night.
A Piccadilly Circus video depicts a massive audience watching as individuals in black clothing began breaking glass bottles and shouting as they pushed their way through the crowd.
One man was observed smashing a glass bottle against a trash can and wielding the broken end as a weapon, while others flung bottles into the air, shattering glass on the ground.
A large audience watched as men in dark clothing began to shatter glass bottles and yell.
Witnesses captured the altercation at the entrance to the subway station using their cell phones.
As families stepped out of the way, some of the males were pushing and kicking one another and squabbling among themselves.
Children could be seen fleeing the area as a man snatches a crutch from another man who is shouting.
As families stepped out of the way, others were pushing and kicking each other while scrambling for position.
Throughout, witnesses filmed the altercation outside the entrance to the subway station using their mobile devices.
As the violence subsided, five policemen of the Metropolitan Police walked through the street as the throng continued to move.
A representative for the Metropolitan Police Department told MailOnline: ‘Officers conducted high visibility patrols around central London, including in the vicinity of Piccadilly Circus, on New Year’s Eve night.
“We are aware of an online video that depicts a brief incident between two groups during which projectiles were fired.
Officers can be seen coming less than a minute later, but the participants had already scattered into the masses.
We are unaware of any arrests made in connection with this incident.
On New Year’s Eve, eight individuals were detained throughout the city, including a 31-year-old man arrested for sexual assault.
The British Transport Police wanted him for five alleged indecent assaults on women; officers apprehended him during proactive patrols of the South Bank prior to the New Year’s Eve celebration.
Men flung bottles into the air, shattering glass on the ground as the melee broke out.
Outside the entrance to the subway station, throngs of onlookers witnessed a brawl.
Five officers of the Metropolitan Police walked through the street as the throng continued to circulate around them.
As revelers returned to the city center, a multi-agency policing and security operation was implemented around the capital.
During the night, three persons were arrested: two for drunk and disorderly conduct, one for driving under the influence of alcohol, and one for possession of an offensive weapon.
Two individuals were arrested for assaulting an emergency worker, and one individual was also arrested for possession of stolen property.
A last individual was detained for common assault and cannabis possession.
The two assaulting officers sustained minor injuries and will receive the necessary care.
Met officers, emergency services partners, the Mayor of London’s office, Transport for London, and the event management and stewarding staff collaborated throughout the night.
In all 32 boroughs, Special Constables were patrolling alongside thousands of cops.
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