Brixton concert crush: Police watchdog investigates incident as three people in critical condition | UK News
The police watchdog has said it has launched an investigation following a concert crush at the O2 Academy Brixton in south London on Thursday night.
In a statement on Friday, Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove said an incident in which an officer was “apparently seen to push a member of the public” is currently under review by the force’s director of professional standards.
Three people are in critical condition in hospital and one person was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer following a concert crush at a show by Afrobeat artist Asake.
A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it is aware of the incident and added: “We will assess the available information, including footage of the incident, to determine what further action may be required.”
The Met Police Gold Commander Ade Adelekan said that where force has been used by officers “those officers know they have to be accountable for their actions”.
He added that the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards will look at all material, including body-worn video footage from those at the scene.
Mr Wingrove added that an “urgent investigation” into the concert crush was underway.
A total of eight people were taken to hospital after a crowd attempted to gain entry without tickets, the Metropolitan Police said.
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Crowd tries to enter Asake gig
Lambeth police and other emergency services were alerted to the scene on Stockwell Road after 9.30pm following reports of injuries after “a large crowd attempted to gain entry without tickets”.
Footage posted online showed large crowds outside the building, with many people holding up mobile phones and filming the scene.
Injuries were believed to have been caused by “crushing”, according to Scotland Yard police officers.
The concert was eventually cancelled part-way through, with fans of the Nigerian singer told: “The reason we have to stop the show is because they have breached the doors.”
Following the incident, Asake, who was recently nominated for BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2023 award, said his “heart is with those who were injured” at his concert.
Clothes and medical gloves lie on the floor outside Brixton O2 Academy
Labour MP Florence Eshalomi has called for answers to what led to the crush, and stated that “ticketing and security procedures have not performed as they should have”.
Ahead of the gig, Asake posted on Twitter asking fans not to come to the venue unless they had a valid ticket.
The concert was the third of three sold-out dates at the 4,921-standing capacity venue and concluded a run of UK dates.