It started with a flyer sent around on Snapchat. Teenagers were invited to gather at a south London basketball court to celebrate the start of the Easter holidays. They were told to bring their own weed and laughing gas because it was going to be a late one.
What followed in the hours after was chaos. Hundreds of young people came to the “link-up” last Saturday, and then gathered on Clapham High Street.
Shops in the area were overwhelmed, including a Marks & Spencer where videos appear to show teenagers fighting in the aisles. Some shopkeepers reportedly locked their doors, and fireworks were let off on Clapham Common.
Kids just wanting to met up … and loot
Personally, I would have required they all were arrested and their parents/carers come to collect them from police custody.
Contrary to comments and narratives being pushed by some, this is not a policing problem, but rather an insight into what the future may hold.
Young… pic.twitter.com/AUOyPre3VP
— Festus Akinbusoye (@FestAKINBUSOYE) March 30, 2026
