The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that 16 arrests were made in the area of Arsenal’s open-top bus parade celebrating their Premier League title win.
The arrests were made as of 9pm, with charges including drunk and disorderly behaviour, drug offences, sexual assault, and assaulting emergency workers.
Arsenal had returned from the Champions League final in Budapest before taking part in the open-top bus celebration with supporters across Islington.
The Gunners lost the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on penalties but still celebrated winning the first Premier League title in 22 years.
Arsenal’s women’s side also lifted the Champions Cup, giving supporters further reason to line the streets in significant numbers for the parade.
Thousands of fans gathered along the route, prompting a large police operation designed to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.
While the event largely passed without serious incident, a section 60 order was placed on the area overnight, granting police additional stop and search powers.
“Today’s event has been mostly celebratory, but we were clear that we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour, disorder or other criminality,” the Met Police said on social media.
“Officers will make use of dispersal powers to prevent criminality and make further arrests where offences are committed.”
The London Fire Brigade were also on duty during the parade, with a flare causing a fire in a hotel that required around 75 people to be rescued.
Assistant Commander Pat Goulbourne, the strategic event commander for LFB, said: “Fortunately, the fire caused only a small amount of damage to the exterior of the building.”
Goulbourne added that pyrotechnics were also believed to have triggered fire alarms at several other locations across the area during the celebrations.
“As supporters head home, we would urge them to avoid using pyrotechnics, particularly at stations, and to keep them away from buildings and other flammable materials,” Goulbourne said.
Goulbourne described the event as a “fantastic sight” and noted that the majority of fans were “celebrating their club’s achievement safely” throughout the day.
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