PICTURES show police breaking up large crowds in Purley Way on Thursday ( April 22).

Police were called to reports of a car cruise shortly before 9 pm at Valley Park Retail Centre. 

An eyewitness said that he saw hundreds gather in the car park "with up to 200 cars", along with motorbikes.

He continued: "Further down in Valley Park itself, a very loud sound-system was pumping out deep bass music, that was reverberating the retail outlet shopfronts.

Your Local Guardian:

"At the same time, cars and motorbikes were screeching around the retail park roads and car parks as other participants let off major fireworks in the middle of the crowd.

"There was also an ice cream van that had arrived and was trading to the illegally-gathered audience."

Your Local Guardian:

London Ambulance Services also attended the scene following reports of a car crash at the unofficial rally. 

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 10.11pm yesterday, to reports of a road traffic collision on Volta Way, Croydon.

"We sent an ambulance crew, a medic in a car, and an incident response officer.

"We did not treat anyone or take anyone to hospital."

Your Local Guardian:

A spokesperson for Met Police confirmed that the majority of the crowds were dispersed by 10.20 pm. 

"Police were called to Valley Park, Croydon, shortly before 21.00hrs on Thursday, 22 April, to reports of a large group of cars gathering and racing each other.

"Officers attended and dispersed the crowd of people and vehicles. 

"Most of the vehicles had left by 22.20hrs."