I didn’t really want to post these photos because Brixton Splash was a lovely day out, and this was the only bit of real trouble I saw all day.
Sadly, rumours ran wild on Twitter straight afterwards, with people quick to serve up a flamboyant version of events, probably because it was happening in Brixton. So maybe this will put the record straight.
As far as I could see, it was just a street punch up between a handful of people. No guns. No knives. No bazookas or thermo-nuclear weapons.
As soon as the fighting started on a packed Coldharbour Lane, the happy carnival atmosphere was ruined, as people tried to flee the trouble.
You can see a big gap opening up where the brawling started as the crowd tried to get away.
Some people panicked as the crowd surged away from the fighting. I could see some young kids were really scared and upset.
Part of the fight in progress.
The police and stewards were quick on the scene and arrests were made.
The sound system had to be turned off for a while things cooled down, although everyone around me was thoroughly vexed at those who started the trouble.
Happily, very few people got caught up in this fight and – like me – had a lovely day out.
Related posts:
Brixton Splash 2011 – some photos from the Lambeth street festival
A Thursday night in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton – Albert, 414, Dogstar and more
Prince of Wales, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton calls last orders?
Brixton snowmen plus snowy scenes at Windrush Square, Loughborough Park and Coldharbour Lane
A formidable cake display, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton
Old Brixton Cycles building on Coldharbour Lane set to be demolished
Cowboys ahoy! Shoddy workmanship on Coldharbour Lane, Brixton
Brixton celebrates Jamaican Independence Day with a big Splash
In less than 2 sec, everybody was packed like sardines, ppl could have been hurt if they had fall. Children was there, screaming and terrifyed. Stupid ppl who ruined d party!
Interesting reportage. In the days I had a friend with a balcony view of the the Notting Hill Carnival route. Which I preferred in case of any crowd issues. We were even graced on the balcony by Kenny Everett once – that dates it!
Well, despite the quite fair comments above. This was not the only bit of trouble. There were many scurmishes around brixton. Same Ol’ Story im afraid. I saw knives brandished at one point. These things will always be tarnished by trouble im afraid. Its in the culture.
jake – there not that many scurmishes – you much had been in the kitcken working if you saw knives been brandished and for your statement it’s in the culture – who culture you talking about because its not in my african- caribbean (black british ) culture. i am on coldhabour lane – come and fine me – we discuss the culture thing – bobby
Jake I cant believe that u can make a statement like that. Why did you even bother to go if you are bigoted enough make a statement like “its in the culture” surely that would be the last place you would be. Brixton is about the only place that you get such a wide spectrum of cultures mingling together and as a Brixton veteran myself having shopped raved, socialised at all dayers with my children&grandchildren and just generally being in the area I find your statement offensive. I would also appreciate discussing your views with you. Would this be Brixton culture or Jamaican culture ? I would be very interested in your answer?
Some madness.
mad mad mad
IT JAMAICAN CULTURE I LOVE IT I MIGHT BORN HERE I DO NOT FOR GET WHERE I FROM
marie you need to get a plane asp if you want your culture so badly good luck
Great day out miner fight haven’t put me off going next year. Well done for quick response all done and dusted within seconds no guns knifes ect.
When i walked through Brixton at 11.30 in the evening all i saw was rubbish everywhere, people avoiding broken glass and car tyres being ripped to shreds from all the broken bottles. It looked like an absolute war zone. Shocking. A real embarrassment to south London. “splash” should have been called “smash”