Crime

London's hit by violence on hottest day of year as police hunt Hyde Park suspects | London Evening Standard

Four men are being hunted by police after violent clashes swept the capital on the hottest day of the year.

Hatty Collier
London's hit by violence on hottest day of year as police hunt Hyde Park suspects | London Evening Standard
Police hunt men after London hit by violence on hottest day of yearA row of police with riot shields stands opposite a mob of youthsNigel Howard

Four men are being hunted by police after violent clashes swept the capital on the hottest day of the year.

Trouble flared in four areas across London as parties descended into chaos, leaving several police officers and youths injured.

Police have released photographs of the suspects they want to speak to in connection with the disorder.

Three of the men are believed to have been involved in violence at Hyde Park, where police were injured in clashes with up to 4,000 teenagers.

Appeal: Police want to speak to these men in connection with disorder in Marble Arch (left) and Hyde Park (right)Metropolitan Police

The fourth was captured on CCTV in Marble Arch, where a crowd of revellers “trashed” a McDonald’s and leapt over the counter to grab food.

Read More

More ugly scenes occurred at an illegal rave in Hackney, while local police said a water fight in Burgess Park, Peckham, led to a serious stabbing.

Appeal: Police want to speak to these men in connection with disorder in Hyde ParkMetropolitan Police

Officers have been trawling through hours of CCTV to try to identify those responsible for the disorder.

Commander Nick Downing, said: “We are asking for the public’s help to identify these five men, to give us any information they may have about anyone else who was involved in the disorder last night and looking ahead, any information about future plans for such disorder.

“A lovely day in the Capital turned violent in Hyde Park, Burgess Hill and Stamford Hill last night after spontaneous events turned nasty and people attacked each other and the police.”

The CCTV appeal came as Scotland Yard said it would be stepping up patrols this evening to stop a repeat of last night’s violence.

Extra police officers will be visible at key locations hit by the violence on Tuesday night.

Any witnesses are asked to contact the police on 020 8246 0076 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.​