Police in riot gear came under attack after dispersing an illegal rave in Hackney, north London, in the early hours of the morning.

A video on social media shows revellers launching glass bottles, bricks and roadwork barriers at officers who broke up the gathering in the Woodberry Down Estate near Finsbury Park.

Three vans and more than a dozen officers can be seen forming a barricade across the road and moving people on.

Local residents claimed hundreds of people had attended the rave, while others complained about a police helicopter circling overheard for hours.

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A Met Police spokesperson said on Twitter that officers were called to an ‘unlicensed music event’ at about 3.30 am on Saturday morning after being alerted to it by concerned residents.

The force has not said if anyone was injured or arrested following the rave.

Earlier on Friday, the Met warned they will be deploying additional officers across London this weekend following a number of murders and intelligence regarding planned illegal gatherings.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi said: ‘The past week has seen a number of people who have needlessly lost their lives at the hands of violent criminals – any number of murders is too many but we are very concerned by the recent increase.

‘We have also seen an increase in unlicensed music events which, as well as being very disruptive to communities and posing an increased risk of Covid-19 transmission, they have in some cases led to violent incidents affecting both those attending and the officers who have to shut them down.

‘Tackling violence is always the Met’s number one priority and we are doing all we can to prevent any further incidents and bring perpetrators to justice.’

There have been a number of illegal raves across London and elsewhere since the outbreak of the pandemic. Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick has vowed to shut down events flouting health regulations.

Elsewhere in London on Friday night, two men were taken to hospital after being stabbed at Broadgate Circle, in Liverpool Street.

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