I think the “reds” are Greenwich gangs and the “blues” are Lewisham gangs (ironically the colours usually come from the corporate colours on the trash bins the local Councils put up on the street!)
fair play to that youth worker for defusing the situation, but I bet metpol will definitely object to next years license.. :you_crazy
Gangs turn family day into battlefield
Jul 20 2007
Leon Watson
WARRING gangs turned on police after a mass brawl kicked off at Lewisham’s biggest annual family event.
Mounted police were forced to storm into the battleground and use batons to control the crowd as trouble sparked at Lewisham People’s Day.
Shocked families looked on as around 60 yobs ran riot near the event’s youth stage in Mountsfield Park, Hither Green on Saturday.
Cops made 15 arrests, including one for violent disorder,four for affray and four for robbery.
There were also arrests for drug possession, obstructing a police officer and for minor public order offences.
Two officers and an event steward were hurt in the riot after being hit by missiles thrown by yobs.
Former girl gang member Minty Challis, from anti-gang campaign group Cease Fire Crew, helped to calm the situation by addressing the yobs directly.
She said: “It was absolutely ridiculous.
“It all got out of hand so I asked the police if I could talk to the youths.
“I’m just so glad they listened to me because I thought
“I was going to get stabbed. “There were the reds and the blues there running but at least 40 per cent were not from gangs.
“I stood up and said ‘not here, not now’ and told them if they were angry they should march on Parliament.
“I talked to them for about 15 minutes and for some reason they stopped.”
But a mum, who lives near the park and did not want to be named, said: “I do not go to people’s day because its not a safe place for me to take my children because the gangs.
“I live not far from Mountsfield Park and have to put up with the fall out after it finishes.
“Something needs to be done about the gangs but one person talking will not do it alone.”
Superintendent Ben-Julian Harrington, from Lewisham police, said: “Intelligence suggested there would be disorder.
“But by working with the organisers, Lewisham council, and all the other agencies involved, major issues and serious injury was averted.”
A council spokeswoman said: “The behaviour of the small group of people after the event was disappointing,but this did not undermine the success of the day.”
