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Video: Shoppers terrified as Croydon turns into battlefield

12:10am Wednesday 3rd March 2010 in Croydon Exclusive By Harry Miller

Youth is beaten and kicked as he falls to ground in Croydon pitched battle Youth is beaten and kicked as he falls to ground in Croydon pitched battle

This is the terrifying moment when rival gangs launched a pitched battle in Croydon town centre in broad daylight.

Dozens of shoppers ran for cover as the thugs fought it out in the second gang incident in just one week.

More than 30 youths were involved as the gang warfare erupted at 4.15pm, in North End, on February 19.

One youth was brandishing what is believed to be a knife, and another was punched and kicked by a gang.

The thugs grabbed whatever they could to use as weapons, including cafe chairs and even a music stand stolen from a busker’s pitch.

Caught on CCTV cameras, the rival gang members hurled themselves into the melee, slashing, kicking and hitting out at each other in the busy shopping street, in front of horrified women and children.

The shocking images of two rival gangs battling it out in the town centre were captured on CCTV.

The video from Croydon Council’s CCTV cameras, leaked to the Croydon Guardian, lasts no more than three minutes but involves up to 30 youths, squaring off and fighting “like animals”.

The young hoodlums who fought are believed to belong to the Don’t Say Nothing gang and the Shine My Nine gang.

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A council source said: “They were going hell for leather. The control room saw something was up and followed them down to North End where the two gangs just went for each other.

“Shoppers were ducking out the way as this lot fought each other with knives, belts, chairs and whatever else they could find – they were like animals. It was total mayhem, I am surprised no one got seriously hurt.”

Superintendent Dave Stringer, said: “Following the recent incidents in the town centre, I want to reassure the public that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Incidents of this nature are relatively rare and I am confident the measures we have in place with our as part of our Safe for All scheme will continue to deter such behaviour and ensure Croydon town centre remains a safe place to work, shop and visit.”

This incident was the second outbreak of youth violence in the town centre in three days, after brawling teenagers brandishing metal poles attacked each other near West Croydon station on February 17.

Police arrested a 14-year-old boy on suspicion of carrying a weapon following the fight, which kicked off at about 7.20pm at the junction of London Road and Station Road.

A 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital with a hand injury.

Anyone with any information relating to the fight or who knows any of the individuals can call Croydon Police on 0300 123 1212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Comments(18)

Angela M says...
9:09am Wed 3 Mar 10

That's terrifying.

I used to think I was lucky to have lots of shopping centres nearby, but now I think I'll stay away from the shops in Croydon!

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Highlander9 says...
10:40am Wed 3 Mar 10

Gordon Brown wants us to feel safer on the streets. May I ask were there 2 policemen or PCSO's ?
I think this government have completely lost touch with the every day grind for many. More important to worry about taking care of those that are doing well for themselves. The ordinary person has been left to fend for themselves.
Mr Brown, words are cheap and you will say anything to remain in office.
The trouble is which party will be "Tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime"?
Are there any? ...no I thought not.
Apologies for rant, just so angry by what I have seen and also experienced.
A disillusioned voter!

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trasie says...
12:10pm Wed 3 Mar 10

What a bunch of cowards not one punch thrown just weapons. Come on BOYZ where's your self respect, forget respect for others, what about your own respect for your selves. More and more people are going to video you muppets on mobiles and you will be caught. Bunch of losers. I can't stop laughing at the way you morons look. You definately don't look hard men to me

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mcblount says...
1:31pm Wed 3 Mar 10

I would not have been in the least bit frightened, having lived abroad and seen far worse violence. Once I had to sit in a cafe for half an hour waiting for the police to stop spraying tear gas. Another time a soldier shoved a bayonet in my face, when there had just been a revolution and I was in the wrong place. Anyway, I shall continue to shop in the Town Centre and also meet friends for coffee and go to the cinema, restaurants, etc. Croydon is a great place.

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Sweepster says...
6:31pm Wed 3 Mar 10

They are like animals. Cowards, ****'s et al.

I like to see one of them up against my granddad in his day. Bare knuckle fighting is what they need on them!

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Planado says...
9:27pm Wed 3 Mar 10

Only 30? Blimey, didn't the Mods & Rockers used to go at it in their hundreds all those decades ago, or is that just warm beer and cricket?

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hipflask says...
6:09am Thu 4 Mar 10

Round these thugs up and put them in army schools. Let heroes who really understand respect knock some discipline and self-control into these kids.

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Biorealist says...
10:55am Thu 4 Mar 10

Is it possible to bring criminal charges against previous immigration ministers for malfeasance in public office? This is really their fault.

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mcblount says...
11:45am Thu 4 Mar 10

It has nothing to do with immigration.

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able scoffer says...
12:48pm Thu 4 Mar 10

It does have everything to do with feral youth who are not frightened of this weak Government... it looks like the useless tories will replace them... both as bad as each other... thank goodness we can vote for an alternative party more in tune with decent, honest, peoples, views!!

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buck williams says...
3:24pm Thu 4 Mar 10

bit of luck they'll pick up some local intelligence of the ringleaders in the pubs and clubs

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eccles10 says...
6:03pm Thu 4 Mar 10

I wouldn't have wanted to be the Neighbourhood Enforcement Officer on my own moving in to disperse them. He did a great job by the look of it; calm, measured, non-threatening and in control. AND just think a few weeks ago the head of the council (in the Croydon Guardian) said they want to get rid of them and get "Proper Police". He responsed almost immediately and calmed a terrifying situation.... Looked proper enough to me! I hope someone recognises this and mentions it to the councillors.

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mcblount says...
9:27am Fri 5 Mar 10

That is a very racist comment and not true at all. Years ago we had Mods and Rockers (all white) having gang fights in the streets. A few years ago a gang of football fans went on the rampage in Croydon. They were white.

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NastyMrTom says...
9:55am Fri 5 Mar 10

dtoogs wrote:
this sort of thing happens everyday since the rise of the black population in croydon. we dont want your gangs on our streets.
Rubbish.
The fact it's made the paper shows how unsual it is.
Gang related violence is prevelant throughout the country amognst youths of all races.
We don't want racists on our streets

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NastyMrTom says...
9:56am Fri 5 Mar 10

shocking spelling , apologies

Rubbish.
The fact it's made the paper shows how unsual it is.
Gang related violence is prevelant throughout the country amognst youths of all races.
We don't want racists on our streets

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famished scoffer says...
8:50am Sat 6 Mar 10

Shocking spelling ? I agree for once!! rofl!! and before 11am eh ?? lol!!... and if you are going to be judgemental about 'race' perhaps you'll explain uncle-b's lyrics about the good people of Shadwell ??? truely vile.

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ric says...
12:38pm Mon 8 Mar 10

im not really sure its a good idea posting the video so they get their 5 min of fame.

no reason other than a scoop to post it.

i find it amazing that something like that can happen in a busy town and not have police respond instantly.

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