August 9th 2023.
The Met Police is bracing itself for a potential crime spree in the popular central London hotspot of Oxford Street. This follows a viral TikTok video urging criminals to target the area and to "don a bally and gloves" for a 'robbery' at JD Sports. Security staff are reportedly also bracing themselves for ‘widespread disorder’ amid fears of chaos.
As a result, the Met Police has significantly increased patrols in the area, and put a dispersal order in place. This order gives officers the power to exclude people from the area for 48 hours, and those who don't comply can be arrested. The force has also shared a video on its own TikTok page as a deterrent.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also spoken out about the 'nonsense' of the video, and urged anyone considering targeting Oxford Street not to get ‘sucked in’ by social media. He reminded people that the police have been working hard with local communities and retailers to ensure criminal behaviour is quickly dealt with.
His warning comes after August last year saw gangs of youths looting and vandalising shops in Oxford Street, and even assaulting police officers. In May this year, young gangs terrorised drivers, attacked a police car and climbed on a bus in Wembley.
It is clear that the Met Police is taking these threats seriously, and is working to ensure the safety of the public. It is also important that we all take responsibility for our own safety, and be mindful of any potential risks.
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