The police have delivered an update following Arsenal’s open-top bus parade to celebrate the Premier League title
The Metropolitan police have confirmed that 16 arrests have been made within the area of Arsenal ’s trophy parade to celebrate the Premier League title. Upon their return from the Champions League final in Budapest, it was back to celebrations with supporters with an open-top bus parade.
The Gunners lost the final against Paris Saint-Germain on penalties. But they were still able to celebrate winning the first Premier League title in 22 years as well as the women’s side lifting the Champions Cup.
Thousands of fans lined the streets to celebrate the victory, leading to a big police operation to ensure the safety of all in attendance. Streets around Islington ground to a close as the bus passed through.
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While the event mainly passed without issue, the police have confirmed that as of 9pm, 16 arrests had been made on charges including drunk and disorderly behaviour, drug offences, sexual assault, and assaulting emergency workers.
As the evening went on, the majority of the crowd dispersed, but a section 60 has been placed on the area overnight, which gives the police additional stop and search powers to help prevent further offences.
“Today’s event has been mostly celebratory, but we were clear that we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour, disorder or other criminality,” the Met Police said on social media.
“Officers will make use of dispersal powers to prevent criminality and make further arrests where offences are committed.”
The London Fire Brigade were also on duty, with a flare causing a fire in a hotel with around 75 people having to be rescued.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne, the strategic event commander for LFB, said: “Fortunately, the fire caused only a small amount of damage to the exterior of the building.
“Pyrotechnics are also believed to have triggered the fire alarms at several other locations in the area.
“As supporters head home, we would urge them to avoid using pyrotechnics, particularly at stations, and to keep them away from buildings and other flammable materials.”
Goulbourne added that the event was a “fantastic sight” and that the majority of the fans were “celebrating their club’s achievement safely”.
