“Police and Teens Injured as Primary School Event Disrupted by Youths with Knives”

Three teenagers were arrested last night after a gang of youths crashed a party inside a school hall and stabbed two teenagers.

More than 50 youths armed with knives and machetes ran into Elm Park Primary School’s hall, in Havering, Essex, where a sixteenth birthday party was being hosted at around 9pm on Sunday.

The fighting lasted until 11pm before three teenagers were arrested on suspicion of assault on emergency workers.

Two teenagers, aged 19 and 16, were were taken to hospital with knife injuries, but they were later deemed to be non-life threatening. 

Footage from the scene shows dozens of children fleeing the hall screaming, as blurred images from the background show individuals raising weapons above their heads. 

One local resident told the Havering Daily: ‘It was total chaos. We saw between 40-50 youths, running through the streets. 

‘We think they had knives as they were seen dropping weapons in people’s drive ways and running away. 

‘They were attacking the police and there were so many of them that the police had to just disperse them. We couldn’t believe what we saw. They were all aged 16 and over and they were not from here.

‘Our road is normally so quiet, things like this don’t happen here. This is why we are all so shocked at what has happened.

Three teenagers were arrested last night after a gang of youths crashed a party inside a school hall and stabbed two teenagers

Scenes from outside the school 

‘We saw the police running after the youths, but due to the large number of them, the only choice they had was to disperse them.

‘Our road was closed off for ages due to this and we were told that a serious incident had happened.’

One mother claimed her daughter, 15, has also been taken to hospital after being attacked on a train by the same mob of youths who ran from the party.

Her mother told the Havering Daily: ‘She had gone to a party that was supposed to have correct security but it didn’t and it all went wrong. 

‘As she ran scared from the event, she told me the fire exit wasn’t accessible and that as she got on the train, other youths followed and more fighting began.

‘My daughter was attacked on the train and more fights took place. It was awful. Over a hundred youths got on and they were still fighting and doing gas balloons. My daughter is still in hospital.’

A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘Police were called shortly after 21:00 on Saturday, 22 March to reports of a fight involving a group on Calbourne Avenue.

‘Officers attended before engaging with a number of teenagers who became aggressive toward them.

‘Three teenagers were arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault on emergency workers. They were taken to an East London police station. They were bailed to return for questioning later today.

More than 50 youths armed with knives and machetes ran into Elm Park Primary School’s hall, in Havering, Essex, where a sixteenth birthday party was being hosted at around 9pm on Sunday

Around 50 to 60 yobs armed with knives ran into Elm Park Primary School’s hall, in Havering, Essex, where a sixteenth birthday party was being hosted at around 9pm on Sunday

‘The officers were treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service medics and do not require hospital treatment.

‘Separately, two individuals, including a 16-year old male and a 19-year old male sustained suspected knife injuries and were taken to hospital where their injuries were deemed neither life changing nor life threatening. They continue to assist police with their enquiries

‘An investigating into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing.’

Anyone with information is urged to call 101 or message @MetCC on X, giving the reference 6940/22March. Information, including photos or videos, can also be easily uploaded to our dedicated appeal page.