Police scrambled to shut down illegal raves in east London last night as the easing of lockdown restrictions saw revellers party into the early hours.
Scotland Yard placed swathes of north-east London under dispersal orders as officers broke up a series of “unlicensed music events”.
Footage posted on social media showed police standing watch inside Hackney Downs park, where hundreds of people had gathered in breach of social distancing restrictions.
Other videos emerged of party-goers at Millfields park, dancing and drinking while wearing green and purple flashing headphones.
Hackney police tweeted on Sunday evening that it had taken swift action to “prevent disorder”.
It wrote at around midnight: “A Section 35 Dispersal Order has been authorised for the entirety of MILLFIELDS PARK E5 by Inspector Norman due to an unlicensed music event.”
An hour later, it added: “Due to a number of unlicensed music events in the areas of Hackney Downs park and Cecilia Road a Sec 35 dispersal zone has been authorised.”
This covered three different postcodes and remains in force until 11am on Monday.
The shutdown came after a major easing of lockdown restrictions saw England’s pubs, bars and restaurants reopen on what was dubbed “Super Saturday”.
Despite many pubs across the country’ reporting Covid-secure scenes with drinkers sticking to health guidance, the Police Federation issued a stark assessment of the situation: “The message is clear - alcohol and social distancing does not mix.”
However, the federation’s chair John Apter later conceded that there hadn't been total "carnage".
He tweeted: “Hearing more and more from my colleagues about policing the first day of easing of lockdown across England.
“Officers have done a great job in difficult times.
“Yes it’s been manically busy in places, alcohol and social distancing don’t mix but it wasn’t the carnage some predicted.”
Super Saturday - in pictures
The morning after Saturday's grand reopening, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he believed that “very, very largely people have acted responsibly”.
The Metropolitan Police also praised the majority who “complied with social distancing guidelines and remained vigilant,” but said a small number of venues closed early due to crowding concerns.
Still, the force admitted some areas had been busier than others on Saturday evening, including Soho and Portobello Road.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Government experts urged people to stick to the rules to avoid creating a second wave of coronavirus.
Speaking on Friday, Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty warned the public needed to be “really disciplined” and maintain social distancing when they go out with friends.
Prof Whitty reminded the public that the pandemic is "a long way from gone.”
But later that evening, two police officers suffered broken bones and nine others were injured as they attempted to disperse an unlicensed street party in west London.
Bricks and other missiles were launched at officers who tried to break up the illegal rave in Havelock Close, White City, on Friday night.
The incident followed mass street parties in Notting Hill and Streatham last week, as well as an illegal rave on a Brixton estate where 22 officers were injured.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said the number of police injuries was ”heading up to 140-odd officers” over the first three weeks of June, including those wounded during protests in the wake of the death of George Floyd in the US.
The commissioner vowed to shut down the “appalling” raves and Home Secretary Priti Patel condemned the Brixton incident as “utterly vile”.
Three people who were arrested for violent disorder against police at the event have appeared in court and are awaiting sentencing or further trials.