Boys, under 16, arrested after thousands swarm Soho for ‘marketing stunt’
Officers from the Metropolitan Police were called at 12.09pm on February 22 with reports of a large crowd of people gathering in the area.
Videos posted to TikTok showed large numbers of teenagers flocking to roads including Dean Street, Marshall Street, and Broadwick Street.
The crowds were gathering for an apparent marketing stunt that had been advertised online and on social media platforms.
A significant police presence was dispatched to the area, with officers granted extra powers through a Section 35 dispersal order across the borough of Westminster.
The order allows police to see that people are removed from the area for up to 48 hours to prevent or reduce crime, disorder, harassment, or alarm.
During the scenes, some members of the crowd caused damage to an unattended police vehicle with videos online showing people jumping on a police car and wearing police hats and hi-vis jackets.
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Officers have since arrested two boys under the age of 16, on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle, criminal damage and affray.
They have been bailed whilst enquiries remain ongoing.
High visibility patrols have been arranged for the area to offer reassurance to the public.