A terrifying video shows a mass brawl breaking out in a packed London shopping centre, with at least one thug wielding a machete.
In the chilling footage filmed at Westfield Stratford in east London on Sunday, two men can be seen jostling and one appears to be holding a large knife.
Another pair are seen grappling with each other on the floor in front of appalled shoppers.
One man holds down the other while punching him in the face.
Meanwhile, the man with the machete chases down his opponent and kicks at him.
Suddenly, a bigger group joins in and kick the man who has fallen to the floor.
When he stands up, the man carrying the huge blade swings the weapon at him.
Shocked passersby and members of security wearing hi-vis vests watch on.
A chilling video shows a mass brawl breaking out in a packed London shopping centre, with at least one thug wielding a machete (pictured)
The video was filmed at Westfield Stratford in east London on Sunday evening
The Metropolitan Police said four males – aged 16 and 17 – were arrested on suspicion of affray
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘Police were called at approximately 7pm on Sunday, 5 January to reports of a fight involving a group of people, some armed with knives, in the vicinity of Westfield, E20.
‘Officers and London Ambulance Service attended.
‘There were no reports of any serious injuries.
‘Four males – aged 16 and 17 – were arrested on suspicion of affray.
‘Enquiries into the circumstances continue.’
Westfield declined to comment.
This armed brawl came just two days after another knife fight in the neighbouring borough of Hackney.
A clip filmed by a member of the public and put online shows two sword-wielding men having a machete fight in the middle of the street on Friday night.
This fight, which took place on Wick Road in Homerton, spilled into the road, forcing motorists to flow down.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of this video circulating online and are making enquiries. There are no known reports or injuries.’
The fight broke out as appalled shoppers and security guards watched on
The armed brawl took place just two days after another knife fight in the next borough over – Hackney
These two incidents are the latest in London’s knife crime epidemic, with offences on the rise
These two incidents are the latest in London’s knife crime epidemic.
Knife crime is on the rise in London, with 15,016 offences recorded in 2023/24, up from 12,786 the year before, a 17.4% rise.
It is the highest number of offences since 2019/2020, after which there was a significant drop during the Covid pandemic, followed by a steady annual increase.
According to the Crime in England and Wales 2024 report, around 30% of knife-enabled crime was recorded by the Metropolitan Police Service.
Sadiq Khan, previously MP for Tooting in south London, became the Mayor of London in May 2016, followed by re-elections in 2021 and 2024.
As Mayor, he is responsible for policing, but during his time in City Hall, London has been dubbed the ‘knife crime capital’ and the Met Police has been forced into special measures.
Sir Sadiq was accused of ‘losing control’ on crime in the city, with a reported 38% increase in knife offences since he took office.
The Labour politician received a knighthood in this year’s New Year Honours list, sparking knife crime campaigners to argue it is ‘an insult’ to victims’ families.
Suzanne Hedges, whose son was stabbed to death by a teenager in 2016, told the Daily Telegraph: ‘It’s insulting, degrading and disrespectful to families that have lost someone to knife crime.’
Courtney Barrett, of the Binning Knives Saves Lives group, added: ‘The knighthood is an insult, and I speak for 20 families of murder victims who I work closely with.’
