Hackney Central and Mare St on lock down as crowds gather

A yob taunting the police

After a morning of what started of as rumours, it appears parts of Hackney is shutting down and with police on stand by.

It began this morning, when police began advising shop keepers along Mare Street, Narrow Way and Amhurst Road in Hackney Central. However a drive through Hackney from Victoria Park to Stamford Hill via Chatsworth Road in Clapton and Upper Clapton Road, made it quite obvious that shops in other parts were taking heed.

Hackney Shop keeper batting down the hatches

I noticed shop owners and their employees outside their shops talking to each other or pulling the shutters down along Chatsworth Road and Upper Clapton. By the time I drove back it was feeling a little uneasy and you could tell things were brewing.

An incident at the Kingland Shopping Centre last night may have been an indication of what was to come today, when  a group of approximately 20 men were seen to make their way into the shopping centre where they burgled two sports shops, Foot Locker and T-mobile. They were also seen to attempt to burgle JD Sports.

A police spokes person said:  “Officers arrived on scene within minutes of the start of the disorder and gave chase.

12 male suspects were arrested at the scene for burglary and Criminal Damage. 11 of the suspects aged between 15 and 23 are being held at police stations across London.

One suspect has been bailed to a later date, due to requiring medical treatment.
The shopping centres within Hackney have extensive CCTV coverage, which enabled the police to respond and make arrests last night and will continue to be carefully monitored as we conduct reassurance patrols.”

Please visit the Hackney Hive forum for live up dates. The thread can be found here