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Stratford bus station was evacuated after teenagers met for ‘firework wars’ on Halloween as the public fled in fear. Dozens of police were seen confronting the youths with a teenage girl arrested after throwing fireworks at the police. The Metropolitan Police said they responded to reports of fireworks being set off at the busy rush hour station at around 6.30pm on Monday as commuters were returning home. The Met’s ground support unit could be seen patrolling the streets around Stratford station as videos showed officers pinning people to the ground and blocking entry points to the station in a bid to gain control. Were you affected by the fireworks that were set off? If so, please email [email protected] A helicopter hovers over Stratford as officers try to clear the area (Screengrab) Witnesses claimed police warned the youths to “clear the area or face arrest” as other footage showed members of the public fleeing the area. One person tweeted: “Stratford bus station in East London has been evacuated. Lots and lots of police and a search helicopter overhead. It seems pretty serious.” A Met Police spokesman said: “Police were called at 6.24pm. on Monday, October 31 for reports that a group of people were setting off fireworks near the Stratford bus station. Officers attended and no injuries were reported. “A teenage girl was arrested after throwing fireworks at police officers. He remains in custody at an east London police station. Investigations are ongoing.” The police form a barrier that keeps the youths away from the area (Screengrab) Posters advertising Halloween firework fights in the Stratford area (Screengrab) The TikTok videos, which have been viewed thousands of times, invited people to meet in the area for “firework wars”. A poster used in the videos told everyone to wear a Halloween mask, try to bring fireworks, wear all black and meet at Stratford Steps at 5.30pm today. The poster added: “We’re going to have fun (fireworks wars).” A witness who was at the bus station when the incident happened told MyLondon: “I was waiting for my bus when I suddenly heard a loud noise. When I turned around I saw that there were multiple fireworks aimed at people (mostly in front of the timetable and bus stop A). “Many people were screaming as the fireworks continued to go off. Moments later the entire bus station was evacuated.”
