On Saturday night, March 22, 2025, panic erupted at a sixteen birthday party held in Elm Park Primary School, in Havering, East London. A large group, estimated to be between 50 to 60 youths, gatecrashed the event, some armed with knives and machetes, leading to chaos, injuries, and police involvement.
The alarming incident unfolded shortly after 9 PM, as screams and commotion filled the school hall. Witnesses reported seeing dozens of terrified teenagers rushing out of the venue, while those inside faced horrifying scenes of violence. A local resident described it best: "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 driveways and running away," as reported by the Havering Daily.
According to a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police, law enforcement was alerted shortly after 9 PM to a fight involving a large group on Calbourne Avenue. Upon police arrival, the gang became aggressive. Consequently, three teenagers were arrested at the scene, suspected of assaulting emergency workers. They were taken to an East London police station and later bailed to return for questioning on March 23 before their scheduled release.
During the chaos, two individuals—a 16-year-old and a 19-year-old—sustained knife injuries. Fortunately, their conditions were not life-threatening, but both were taken to the hospital for treatment, where they continue to cooperate with investigators. The London Ambulance Service treated police officers injured in the skirmish at the scene, and thankfully, no one required hospitalization.
The harrowing scenes did not end there. A 15-year-old girl, who attended the birthday party, was attacked on a train while trying to escape the violence. Her mother shared that her daughter had gone to the party expecting proper security, but things took a drastic turn. "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 is still in hospital," her mother detailed. This incident has raised concerns about the adequacy of security measures in place at such events.
Footage recorded during the fight shows the overwhelming number of teens, with some wielding weapons above their heads while others fled into the streets. This indiscriminate violence not only shocked party attendees but also rattled the local community, which is typically described as quiet and safe.
One parent whose area was affected commented on the unprecedented nature of such events. "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. 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,” the resident expressed.
As of now, the police have launched an investigation into the circumstances leading up to this incident. Witnesses are encouraged to share any information with the police by calling 101, tweeting @MetCC on X, or by providing any video footage recorded during the incident.
The ongoing investigation and community outcry have sparked discussions around youth violence and safety at events in the area. With increasing concern about gathering numbers and security lapses, residents hope for swift accountability and preventive measures moving forward.
As one metropolitan representative indicated, “An investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing.” Local police are determined to ensure that such chaos does not happen again, stressing the importance of community collaboration in keeping the streets safe.
