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A group of seven individuals – including children and teenagers – have been arrested after a violent disturbance broke out in High Road, Wood Green on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in eleven Metropolitan Police officers sustaining injuries.
The incident unfolded at around 4:53pm on 16 July, when police were called to reports of a large group attempting to steal from a retail store in the busy North London shopping district.
On arrival, officers were immediately confronted and assaulted by members of the group. According to a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police:
"Seven people attacked officers and were subsequently arrested for assaulting a police officer, racially aggravated public order, affray, common assault and criminal damage."
The arrested individuals include a 12-year-old boy, a 13-year-old girl, and multiple teenagers, along with two adult women. All remain in police custody as enquiries continue.
Arrests Made:
- 12-year-old boy – suspected of racially aggravated public order offence and criminal damage
- 13-year-old girl – suspected of common assault
- 15-year-old boy – suspected of assaulting a police officer
- 15-year-old boy – suspected of affray
- 16-year-old boy – suspected of assaulting a police officer
- 29-year-old woman – suspected of assaulting a police officer and affray
- 20-year-old woman – suspected of common assault
The London Ambulance Service treated all 11 injured officers at the scene, with none reported to require hospitalisation.
Police have since cordoned off the area and are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or captured footage to come forward.
"If you have any information, please contact the Met via 101, quoting reference 6112/16JUL," the spokesperson added.
Ongoing Crackdown on Shoplifting and Retail Crime
The incident comes amid a wider Metropolitan Police initiative to tackle shoplifting and related public order offences across London.
"We know the fear prolific shoplifters cause retail workers and the negative impact their offending has on communities," a police statement read.
"We’re working closely with local business owners in Wood Green and across London to understand their concerns and take a targeted approach to the type of offending that matters most to Londoners."
Local businesses in the area have expressed concern over increasing shoplifting incidents and aggressive behaviour towards staff in recent months.
Anyone with further information about the incident is urged to call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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