How A Night Of Violence In Elm Park Revealed The Courageous Actions Of Frontline Metropolitan Police Officers.

Imagine arriving to a situation where you have fifty plus youth rampaging through a quiet street, some with large weapons and knowing you are completely outnumbered?

The events that took place in Elm Park on Saturday night have been reported not just across London, but across the country itself for how truly appalling they were.

The Havering Daily spoke to numerous residents who live in the area, some who moved to Elm Park to be away from inner London. They have been left utterly disgusted at the scenes they witnessed outside their homes. What they also witnessed is the incredibly courageous actions of the first officers who arrived on scene that were confronted with the horrendous scenes that most of us would have struggled to even comprehend, let alone deal with.

Those living near the school where the attack took place, reported seeing between 50-60 youths standing outside the school hall waiting to go in inhaling gas, or commonly known as ‘doing balloons’, and drinking. They then reported loud screams coming from the school hall as the large group entered. Endless youths then took to the streets fighting and utter chaos was witnessed.

Residents reported two police vehicles to be the first on scene. That is four officers. Four officers were confronted with 50-60 youths, some armed, some throwing weapons in people’s front drive ways, some under the influence of these so called balloons and some under the influence of alcohol. Just four officers who had to break up and deal with a very dangerous situation. Residents reported extremely aggressive behaviour from youths, lashing out at officers and some female youths charging up to officers into their faces to hurl abuse. Just four officers until support arrived.

We know that frontline officers have possibly the hardest role in our society today. By far the most challenging and definitely the most criticised. There is not a day that goes by that someone, somewhere is not commenting on the police, be it now their lack of trust. If this is the case, it should not be aimed at these officers who do an amazing job, in the face of incredible adversity most days. These are the ones on the frontline that are left to deal with the abuse.

Imagine arriving to a situation where you have fifty plus youth rampaging through a quiet street, some with large weapons and knowing you are completely outnumbered? Many East Area officers would have been called to London on Saturday for the ongoing Palestine marches and other such events. This is frequently the case for outer London boroughs such as Havering.

These officers were extremely courageous, some of whom were injured on Saturday. Our frontline officers do a remarkable job on our street and regularly shown incredible bravery, doing the best that they can with what little they have.

Well done to those officers.

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