sábado, 30 de abril de 2011

Unofficial party CCTV studied - BBC News

Three people are due to appear in court after trouble broke out at an "street party" in Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow.

About 6,000 people gathered for the unofficial event, which coincided with the royal wedding on Friday.

Strathclyde Police said there were 22 arrests for culpable and reckless conduct and for breach of the peace. Eleven officers were injured.

Chief Constable Stephen House said the scenes at the park were "nothing short of a disgrace".

He added: "On a day when the whole country was bathed in sunshine and united in celebration a group of drunken louts brought violence to our city and shame to our country.

"My officers faced a level of abuse which is simply not on.

"The sight of a police officer with blood streaming from his head is totally unacceptable."

He renewed calls for politicians to tackle the country's relationship with alcohol, saying that the "time for talk has passed".

Three men - aged 21, 30 and 46 - are expected to appear in court later.

A further 14 men and three women have been released on bail and two minors have been referred to the children's reporter.

Police said more than 100 officers had attended the incident.

One of the injured officers was taken to hospital with a head injury but released after treatment.

The force added they expected to make a "significant number" of further arrests in the coming weeks.

An inquiry team has been set up to study CCTV footage and continue investigations into the event.

'Severe provocation'

Ch Supt Bernard Higgins said most of those who attended the park had been intent on enjoying the celebrations.

But he added: "Later on as a significant number continued to consume alcohol and the atmosphere changed with fights breaking out between those remaining in the park.

"Eleven officers were injured and in the face of severe provocation I am extremely proud of their professionalism and bravery.

"This kind of behaviour is simply not acceptable and has brought shame on the great city of Glasgow."

The party at the popular park, in the west of the city, was organised on Facebook by two teenagers after Prime Minister David Cameron warned authorities "not to interfere" with street party plans on the royal wedding day.

Glasgow City Council had urged people not to attend what it described as an "unsafe and unofficial" party.

However, organisers of the event set up a sound system with DJs and thousands danced and drank in the sunshine.

The Facebook page said the Kelvingrove Street Party would run from 1100 BST until 2100 BST but organisers said they planned to stop at 1700 BST and police moved in to break up the crowd shortly after.

Officers on horseback were brought in after police were pelted with bottles.

About 2,000 people remained in the park for a number of hours despite the police advice to leave.

Eyewitnesses described "chaotic" scenes and sporadic fighting.

Facebook page creators JJ Gardner & Robbie Seath wrote before the event: "Remember: its a public park and we'll be doing our best to help everyone enjoy themselves in a safe environment, so take it easy, help us keep the rubbish under control and remember that there will be other folk in the park who aren't quite as Royalist/Party mad as ourselves.

"We've got no right to spoil their day, it is a public place after all. The council and police are aware of the situation."

Council workers said they cleared up a "sea of dirt" after discovering a litter-strewn park on their rounds on Saturday morning.

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