A party in Elm Park erupted into violence on Saturday night (March 22), leaving two teenage boys with stab wounds and several police officers injured after a massive brawl broke out.
The incident unfolded around 9pm at a school hall on Calbourne Avenue, where what is believed to have been a 16th birthday party descended into chaos. Video footage shared online shows young people fleeing in panic as knives are reportedly seen being brandished.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 16-year-old and a 19-year-old male were taken to hospital after suffering stab wounds. Their injuries are not believed to be life-changing.
Local MP for Dagenham and Rainham, Margaret Mullane, has spoken out following the violence.
“I was shocked and utterly condemn the appalling disorder which took place in Elm Park over the weekend,” she said.
“I am led to believe none of the injuries were life changing or life threatening, which is a relief for the parents of the victims, and for the police who also suffered injury.”
According to reports from the Havering Daily, up to 50 youths were involved, with knives allegedly left on driveways near the scene. While this detail has not been officially confirmed by police, residents expressed shock over the violence in a residential neighbourhood.
Responding officers who arrived to disperse the crowd were met with aggression, and suffered minor injuries during the altercation. Police arrested three teenagers at the scene on suspicion of assaulting emergency workers. They have since been bailed pending further enquiries.
Mullane added that she would be liaising with the Metropolitan Police to understand how the incident escalated and why dispersal tactics were used instead of earlier intervention.
“In the coming days, I will be asking how so many youths were able to carry out an attack like this, and I will be asking why dispersal was the route taken by officers.”
The Metropolitan Police are urging anyone with information or footage to come forward.
Call 101 or message @MetCC on X (formerly Twitter) quoting reference 6940/March.
Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
