Police have been granted further dispersal powers over the entire of Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley in anticipation of potential disorder at unlicensed music events.

The powers allow police to order people to leave an area and not return, as the Met continues to crack down on a spate of unlawful gatherings.

Seven people were arrested and two weapons seized by police at gatherings over Friday night and Saturday morning in Newham and West Kilburn.

Commander Bas Javid, of the Met's frontline policing team, said: "All of the events which took place last night were illegal and in breach of the Covid regulations.

"We had officers out across the capital working hard to disperse them.

"The vast majority of people who attended engaged with officers and moved away from the locations without issue.

"However, again, a number refused to leave and became violent.

"We have made it very clear this type of behaviour will not be tolerated and there are a number of post-event investigations now under way."

The powers, granted under s.34 Anti-social behaviour, crime and policing act 2014, are in place until Tuesday.