London's Oxford Street descends into chaos as TikTok-fueled rioters clash with police
LONDON – Oxford Street briefly descended into chaos on Wednesday afternoon as dozens of youngsters responded to a viral TikTok video encouraging people to "rob" JD Sports and other stores in the heart of the city's busiest shopping district.
In anticipation of the event, the Metropolitan Police increased the level of security in central London, and Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, urged people to ignore the "nonsense" and not come to Oxford Street to take part in the event the day before.
According to videos circulating on social networks, despite the increased police presence, large groups of young people, who mostly wore black and gray tracksuits while covering their faces with masks, fled from police outside H&M's flagship store on Oxford Circus.
Related ArticlesIn one video, people can be seen clashing with police outside the Reserved store.< /p>
Police officers on Oxford Street in central London. The Metropolitan Police had an increased police presence following online speculation about crime opportunities around Oxford Street on Wednesday afternoon. PA images via Getty Images
It is understood that after the chaotic afternoon, the Metropolitan Police made nine arrests and issued dispersal orders for 34 people.
Several nearby stores, such as Vision Express and Boots, have temporarily closed, and traffic in the street has been suspended for some time due to the escalation of the situation.
Before the social media-fueled incident, Khan and Met Commissioner Mark Rowley also called out cell phone industry works with City Hall and the Met to engineer burglaries and thefts involving cell phones.
A statement released by the Metropolitan Police on Wednesday suggests young people are disproportionately involved in theft, both as victims and perpetrators, with young people between the ages of 14 and 20 being particularly at risk of being the target of criminals according to police data.
August is traditionally a key month for retailers in London's West End. With the massive return of international tourists to London this year following the global easing of the COVID-19 pandemic, a chaotic event could impact commercial footfall in the city in the coming weeks, potentially deterring visitors. visitors.
Dee Corsi, COO of New West End Company, which represents some 600 retailers, re .. .
LONDON – Oxford Street briefly descended into chaos on Wednesday afternoon as dozens of youngsters responded to a viral TikTok video encouraging people to "rob" JD Sports and other stores in the heart of the city's busiest shopping district.
In anticipation of the event, the Metropolitan Police increased the level of security in central London, and Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, urged people to ignore the "nonsense" and not come to Oxford Street to take part in the event the day before.
According to videos circulating on social networks, despite the increased police presence, large groups of young people, who mostly wore black and gray tracksuits while covering their faces with masks, fled from police outside H&M's flagship store on Oxford Circus.
Related ArticlesIn one video, people can be seen clashing with police outside the Reserved store.< /p>
Police officers on Oxford Street in central London. The Metropolitan Police had an increased police presence following online speculation about crime opportunities around Oxford Street on Wednesday afternoon. PA images via Getty Images
It is understood that after the chaotic afternoon, the Metropolitan Police made nine arrests and issued dispersal orders for 34 people.
Several nearby stores, such as Vision Express and Boots, have temporarily closed, and traffic in the street has been suspended for some time due to the escalation of the situation.
Before the social media-fueled incident, Khan and Met Commissioner Mark Rowley also called out cell phone industry works with City Hall and the Met to engineer burglaries and thefts involving cell phones.
A statement released by the Metropolitan Police on Wednesday suggests young people are disproportionately involved in theft, both as victims and perpetrators, with young people between the ages of 14 and 20 being particularly at risk of being the target of criminals according to police data.
August is traditionally a key month for retailers in London's West End. With the massive return of international tourists to London this year following the global easing of the COVID-19 pandemic, a chaotic event could impact commercial footfall in the city in the coming weeks, potentially deterring visitors. visitors.
Dee Corsi, COO of New West End Company, which represents some 600 retailers, re .. .
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