‘I’ve never seen anything like it’: Residents shocked after protest turned violent injuring four police officers

Residents have been left in shock after violence broke out among crowds of people wielding sticks in Camberwell on Saturday night.

People were seen fighting police during tensions reportedly over Eritrea and neighbouring Ethiopia in Africa, near the Lighthouse Theatre, in Camberwell Road, Camberwell.

Footage on social media showed protesters carrying large sticks clashing with police, bringing traffic to a standstill.

A man who works in a shop nearby, who asked not to be named, said: “There was a crowd of people fighting.

“It looked like hundreds of people, all running around with sticks and poles, anything they could get their hands on.

“There were a lot of people in the area but police locked everything off quickly.

“I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

Eight people were arrested for offences including violent disorder, criminal damage, possession of offensive weapons and assault on an emergency worker.

Four officers were injured, one was taken to hospital and has since been discharged. 

A police presence remained in the area on Sunday with a dispersal order enforced until 7am – which gave officers the power to exclude anyone people from the area.

A Met spokesman said: “We are aware of footage being shared online. This will be investigated, alongside other evidence, to identify anyone else who may have committed criminal offences.

“Officers have been working with a group of people who organised an event at a private venue in Camberwell Road. 

“Those arrested were part of a group of demonstrators who gathered outside the venue.”

Pictured top: Police in riot gear gather outside the Lighthouse Theatre after violence broke out (Picture: Yui Mok/PA)