Moment knife-wielding thug charges at crowds during mass brawl

A knife-wielding thug was caught on camera charging at crowds during a mass brawl after thousands flocked to Primrose Hill on the warmest day of the year so far.

The mobile phone footage recorded in the north London park at around 6pm on Tuesday appeared to show one man rushing into the melee with a blade in hand.

Police were called to the scene and issued a Section 60 order in the area – giving officers the right to stop and search people without reasonable grounds in a specific area for a certain period of time.

There were no reported injuries and enquiries are still ongoing.

The brawl came as revellers made the most of their newfound freedom this week after coronavirus restrictions were partially lifted on Monday – allowing up to six people or two households of any size to meet outdoors.

But many appeared to throw caution to the wind and gather in larger numbers as temperatures soared beyond 75F (24C) – in what was the warmest day of the year so far as well as the the hottest March day in Britain for 53 years.

The mobile phone footage recorded in the north London park at around 6pm on Tuesday appeared to show one man in a high-vis jacket rushing into the melee with a blade in hand

In a clip shared on social media a group of young men, who have covered their faces with hoods and motorbike helmets, can be seen caught up in a dispute.

The yobs square up to each other and begin to exchange blows as crowds rush to get out of the way.

But one of the young men, wearing a high-vis jacket, appears to pull a knife as he lunges at rivals. 

In apparent reaction to the blade being drawn, one man can be heard in the background saying: ‘Wow, wow, wow. F*** that s***.’ 

Then one group of brawlers appears to chase their opponents down the hill and through the crowds.

A spokeswoman for the Met Police told MailOnline: ‘Police were called at 17:50hrs on Tuesday, 30 March to reports of a male armed with a knife behaving erratically at Primrose Hill Park.

‘Police attended and a search of the area was conducted with no trace of the male being found.

‘There were no reported injuries. Enquiries continue.

The groups then charged through crowds during the mass brawl yesterday after thousands had flocked to the beauty spot on what was the warmest day of the year so far

‘Anyone who witnessed this incident or has footage/images is asked to contact police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 6085/30MAR.

‘To remain anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers_uk.org.

‘Section 60 has been authorised and officers remain in the area.’ 

The Section 60, which was in place until 3am this morning, gives officers the right to stop and search people without reasonable grounds in a specific area for a certain period of time, in a bid to curb anticipated violence. 

The brawl came as revellers made the most of their newfound freedom this week after coronavirus restrictions were partially lifted on Monday – allowing up to six people or two households of any size to meet outdoors.

But yesterday many appeared to throw caution to the wind and gather in larger numbers as temperatures soared beyond 75F (24C) – in what was the warmest day of the year so far as well as the the hottest March day in Britain for 53 years.

The brawl came as revellers (pictured on Primrose Hill yesterday) made the most of their newfound freedom this week after coronavirus restrictions were partially lifted

Today the clean-up began in parks and beaches across the country after people left behind mounds of litter including disposable barbecues, beer cans and takeaway boxes (rubbish at Primrose Hill today)

And today the clean-up began in parks and beaches across the country after people left behind mounds of litter including disposable barbecues, beer cans and takeaway boxes. 

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick urged people to make the most the latest easing of lockdown restrictions in England in a ‘sensible, cautious’ manner, enjoying the sunshine but also being careful and sticking to the rules.

He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain today: ‘We’ve all waited a long time to meet family and friends outdoors with these very limited freedoms we have now. We just need to exercise caution and be sensible and pragmatic.

‘I think the vast majority of people will do that. They will enjoy the sunshine this week and over the Easter weekend, but they will do that in a sensible and cautious way.’

Ministers are concerned that infections could surge again if young people are too cavalier (groups gathered back at Primrose Hill today)

Mr Jenrick added that people should try ‘to be careful, sticking to the rules’, while Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted last night: ‘Let’s enjoy the sun but let’s do it safely. We have come so far, don’t blow it now.’

Their comments come after the Prime Minister said he hoped people would take advantage of the ‘beautiful weather’ to play sport or exercise, while also emphasising the country should still ‘proceed with caution’.

Despite cases, hospitalisations and deaths all plunging to six month lows thanks to the vaccine roll-out, Ministers are concerned that infections could surge again if young people are too cavalier.