Police in London have condemned a night of disorder that followed a major World Cup match. According to the account, the Metropolitan Police spoke out after unrest broke out in West London in the wake of Morocco losing to France, turning what had been a football night into a public order incident for officers on the ground.
The trouble flared almost immediately after the final whistle. According to the account, hundreds of fans came face-to-face with authorities in the area just a few minutes after the game ended, with footage capturing the confrontation between crowds and police as tensions spilled over onto the streets of West London.
The most serious consequence of the night was an injury to an officer. According to the account, the Met said one officer was taken to hospital for head injuries, which are believed to have been caused by a glass bottle, while the force added that no other injuries were reported during the disturbance.
Officers did not withdraw once the confrontation began, and moved to make arrests. According to the account, police remained in the area and made four arrests for violent disorder, signalling that the force intended to pursue those involved rather than simply contain the immediate flashpoint.
The investigation is now set to lean heavily on recorded evidence. According to the account, the Met said it is reviewing CCTV and social media footage from the area overnight, using the images to try to identify others who may have taken part in the violence beyond those already detained.
For the force, the episode is one it has been keen to denounce publicly. According to the account, the Metropolitan Police condemned the night of unrest, framing the disorder as unacceptable behaviour that turned a sporting occasion into a scene of violence requiring a police response in West London.