Six people have been arrested following a mass brawl involving hundreds of youths on London’s Hampsted Heath.

Three van loads of police officers were deployed to the park at around 6.30pm on Tuesday to disperse the crowd.

Witnesses said they heard screaming and shouting as officers with riot shields rushed to the scene and a helicopter circled the park. It’s not yet clear what sparked the disturbance, which broke out a day after strict lockdown restrictions were eased.

Eyewitness Jonathan Jones, who had been at the heath with his partner for exercise, estimated there were at least 50 officers at the scene.

‘On the way into the park, we heard and saw police car after police car and police vans streaming by’ he said.

‘We then got to the park entrance and three vans rolled in and there were a lot of police officers.’

Mr Jones said it wasn’t clear what had sparked the brawl but he saw two young girls being led away in handcuffs.

‘It looked as if the police were trying to break up a fight, and then at some point, it looks like someone was trying to go for one of the officers.

‘More police came really quickly, and they broke everything up, and then ordered everyone to leave the park.’

A Met Police spokesman said: ‘A S35 dispersal order is in now place for Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill.

‘Officers attended and the majority of people dispersed. No reported injuries and six people have been arrested.’

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