Met Police to deploy extra officers TONIGHT after violent clashes on streets of London
Scenes of violence between two large groups of people broke out last night
The Metropolitan police has said additional police resources will be on duty in Whitechapel, east London this evening, after significant disorder between rival groups within the Bangladeshi community.
Scotland Yard said the scenes of violence between two large groups of people were linked to the violent protests which have played out in Bangladesh in recent days.
In a statement, the Met said its control room received multiple 999 calls reporting violent disorder in Greatorex Street in Whitechapel, just before 8pm on Thursday.
Scotland Yard said local officers were quickly on scene and found two large groups of men fighting in the street.
Scenes of violence between two large groups of people broke out last nightScenes of violence between two large groups of people broke out last nightThe violent groups were amongst a wider demonstration of several hundred people.
The force said: "Officers intervened to separate the groups and one man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence.
"Shields were used as the officers formed a barrier between opposing crowds."
The Met said that missiles were thrown at police on the ground and two officers sustained injuries as a result.
A number of cars were also damaged during the incident.
Police resources from elsewhere in London were rushed to the scene to provide further support.
Scotland Yard says it believes the disorder was linked to protests in Bangladesh in recent days that have resulted in fatalities.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, who is in charge of policing in Tower Hamlets and Hackney, said: “I am grateful to the officers who bravely intervened without hesitation to restore order in a challenging situation.
“This was a serious incident and had it not been for the decisive intervention of local officers and other Met colleagues, it could well have resulted in more serious injuries, further damage or worse.
“I recognise that events that take place in Bangladesh can have a significant impact on communities here in Tower Hamlets, but we cannot allow that strength of feeling to tip into threats, violence and disorder.
“I am grateful to those in the community who stood alongside my officers last night and encouraged calm.
"In the coming days I would appeal to others to follow their lead and to avoid any further escalation.
“Residents will see a visible police presence in the area over the coming days.”