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London Sees Riots In Protest Over Death Of Young Father

London Sees Riots In Protest Over Death Of Young Father

Scary scenes.

Michael Minay

Michael Minay

Protests over the death of a man who died after a police chase in East London have seen riots erupt on streets of the capital.

Throughout Friday evening, fireworks were launched at police officers and roads were barricaded. Fires were also set to wheelie bins, rubbish bags and broken tables.

Roads were also barricaded in a violent demonstration which saw protestors block access for traffic.

Warning: Violent Scenes

Credit: Spectrum SINO Radio / Twitter

Crowds gathered in Kingsland road, Hackney, where Rashan Jermaine Charles, 20, was followed on foot, by officers, in the small hours of Saturday morning.

The Metropolitan Police then said he attempted to swallow something but later died in hospital.

However, with violence seemingly being problematic for the police, the Hackney division tweeted: "Officers have been subjected to abuse and violence. Whatever the frustrations, this is patently NOT what the family of Rashnan Charles wanted."

At one stage, during the protest, a lorry was driven through a barricade with people clinging on to it.

Credit: PA

Credit: PA

Credit: PA

Videos on social media have shown officers being hit and walking in retreat as objects were thrown at them.


The planned protest began on Friday afternoon at 15:40 BST, but has continued into the night. Pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists are being advised not to travel through the barricade. Traffic diversions are in place.

Protestors were seen carrying 'Black Lives Matter' banners and signs.

Rashan is believed to have fled a car that the Met Police were attempting to stop in Hackney, but as he tried to swallow something an officer 'intervened' and tried to stop the man from 'harming himself'.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is investigating the events that led to the death of Charles, said in a statement: "We understand the concerns raised following Rashan's death.

"We will independently examine the circumstances of this incident, we will follow the evidence, we will consider whether there is an indication there may have been misconduct or criminality, and we will seek to answer the questions that Rashan's family and community of Hackney understandably have."

The IPCC is understood to have reviewed CCTV footage from the shop, and the police body camera video, where Rashan is involved.

In a separate statement, they added: "The IPCC has obtained evidence which indicates an object was removed from his throat at the scene."

It also confirmed initial accounts from non-police witnesses have been taken and urges any more to contact them on [email protected].

Source: Daily Mirror / BBC

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: London