VIOLENCE erupted at the Thamesmead Festival on Saturday, forcing the organisers to shut the festivities down and close the event.

News Shopper understands trouble broke out among a number of youths towards the end of the day-long free festival, prompting police to move in to calm things down.

Because of the growing threat to festival-goers, it was decided to shut the festival early and disperse the crowds through Bentham Road, which was closed to traffic.

A stand-off developed between police, who included officers from the Met Police’s Territorial Support Group, and about 200 youths, with bottles and bricks thrown at the police.

A police helicopter was also called in.

Eventually the crowds dispersed and the Met said a number of youths were issued with fixed penalty notices for public order offences.

Erith and Thamesmead MP John Austin, who was at the event, praised the police for their action in “averting major violence”.

Mr Austin said he had spoken to the police, who had anticipated the trouble might escalate into a serious incident and called in back-up.

The helicopter had been able to track the movement of the group and the youths had demolished a brick wall to arm themselves with bricks.

Mr Austin said: “The festival had to be brought to an early close to avoid a major confrontation in which many bystanders could have been hurt.

“I fully support the decision taken by the organisers, Trust Thamesmead, and the actions taken by the police which minimised the impact on people.”

He added: “It is tragic this community festival was almost destroyed by a gang of mindless thugs.”

Trust Thamesmead chief executive Mick Hayes said: “This year’s summer festival achieved everything we hoped it would.

“However, the event was brought to an early close at 5.10pm, 50 minutes sooner than scheduled, due to the actions of a minority of people who came along not to enjoy the music and activities on offer but to simply cause trouble.

“We regret the impact this might have had on the genuine festival-goers and remain proud of all we achieved.”

Mr Austin said there had been fears a rival gang might also turn up.

He said: “The police action prevented a nasty disturbance from turning into a very dangerous incident.”