by Stratford Bus Station was evacuated after teens met for “fireworks wars” on Halloween as members of the public fled in fear.
Dozens of police officers can be seen confronting young people with a teenager arrested after a firework was thrown at the officers.
Metropolitan police said they responded to reports of fireworks being launched at the busy station at rush hour around 6:30 pm on Monday as commuters returned home.
The Met’s territorial support unit can be seen patrolling the streets around Stratford station as videos showed agents blocking people on the ground and closing entry points to the station in an attempt to gain control.
Have you been hit by the fireworks launched? If so, please email thomas.kingsley@independent.co.uk
Witnesses said police warned young people to “clear the area or risk arrest” while other footage showed members of the public fleeing the area.
One person tweeted: “Stratford bus station in East London has been evacuated. Many, many cops and a search helicopter above. Seems serious enough.
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “Police were called on Monday 31 October at 6:24 pm to report that a group of people were setting off fireworks near the Stratford bus station. The officers intervened and no injuries were reported.
“A girl was arrested after a firework was thrown at the officers. She remains in custody at an East London police station. Investigations are underway “.
TikTok videos, which have been viewed thousands of times, invited people to meet in the area for “fireworks wars”.
A poster used in the videos told everyone to wear a Halloween mask, try to bring fireworks, dress in black, and meet on the Stratford stairs at 5:30 pm today. The poster added, “I’ll have fun (fireworks wars).”
This was said by a witness who was at the bus station when the accident occurred MyLondon: “I was waiting for my bus when suddenly I heard a loud noise. When I turned around I saw that there were more fireworks aimed at people (mainly in front of the timetable and at bus stop A).
“Many people screamed as the fireworks continued to be triggered. A few moments later the entire bus station was evacuated. “
