TV bosses accused as girls rush to see JLS

FIVE teenage girls were injured in a stampede as a free show held by X Factor boy band JLS attracted nearly 3,000 fans.

Hordes of teenagers descended on Fairfield Halls in Croydon, overwhelming around 15 security guards for the gig, which was being filmed for Saturday's final on ITV.

Organisers had expected only 1,500 people and the overcrowding triggered chaotic scenes as clusters of disappointed fans surged forward to gain entry to the concert.

Some witnesses claimed tempers flared further as rival girl gangs in the crowd started fighting.

Four ambulances and three police cars were sent to the venue.

Several fans had to be lifted free from the throng, although only five people were reported injured. One teenager, who did not wish to be named, said: "I'd been queuing since 1pm, but when the school kids turned up it became so busy with them all pushing us towards the front. There was a pregnant woman in the crowd. It was horrible. I couldn't move. I couldn't get out."

Manisha Shah, 37, said she and her daughter Ria, 10, were knocked over in the stampede.

Mrs Shah, who rang 999 , said: "Someone could have been killed. We were both on the floor and people were trampling over us. There was a lady in the crowd who couldn't breathe, but no one was bothered. She was having a panic attack. The crowd was uncontrollable."

The four-piece band - Marvin Humes, 23, from Woolwich; Jonathan Gill, 21, from Croydon; Oritsé Williams, also 21, from Fulham; and Aston Merrygold, 20, from Peterborough - waited in their car for nearly two hours as police tried to bring the crowd under control.

JLS, which stands for Jack-the-Lad Swing, performed three songs before they were whisked away. They have made it to the last three of the talent show but are yet to sign a record deal.

All 1,700 free tickets had been allocated by 2pm, according to girls in the crowd. Charlotte Robinson, 16, from South Croydon, said: "Everyone thought they could get in. They were handing out flyers for the event saying it was a free concert but when we turned up we were told we couldn't get in."

Elizabeth Ogbu, 17, from Streatham, said: "I came a long way to see JLS. We all left college early so we could get in then we found out we had to have tickets." Naomi Horsford, 16, from Thornton Heath, added: "There were too many people here and not enough people controlling things."

One girl was taken to hospital for treatment for a suspected fractured wrist. Four other girls received treatment for minor injuries. A Met spokesman said: "We were called to reports of a possible crushing at a free music event. London Ambulance and police attended."

The venue's management was unavailable for comment.