TERRIFIED families were left barricaded in shops as feral youths stormed a busy high street during an Easter “linkup” arranged on social media.
Groups of yesterday tore through Clapham High Street, London, after organising the brazen rampage online.
Police tried desperately to control the frenzied mobCredit: Instagram
Two teens were arrested during the disorderCredit: Instagram
A security guard has since told how he was forced to lock a family in a shop as the youngsters ran wild through the busy street.
Anticipating the disorder, cops warned shopkeepers to lock their doors ahead of the chaos.
showed mobs of dozens of teens gathering in Clapham, south London.
The groups reportedly terrorised locals as vehicles arrived and officers desperately tried to bring the disorder to an end.
A dispersal order was put in place with the force confirming two teen girls were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker during the frenzy.
It came after a similar riot on Saturday saw the Marks and Spencer on the high street looted after teens once again gathered en masse after organising on social media.
The incident on the first day of the Easter holidays saw two teen girls aged 16 and one 15-year-old arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and assault.
Following last night’s incident, a Marks and Spencer security guard told The Daily Mail : “Police warned us there would be chaos, so we prepared for it because of what happened last Saturday.
“There were loads of kids sprinting and shouting and police advised all the shops to close for one hour.”
Shop security guard Mohammed went on to say the supermarket was forced to close the Clapham branch early and not reopen.
When the doors were locked up ahead of the disorder some customers were left trapped inside.
Police allegedly told Mohammed and his colleagues when the mobs would storm the area.
He said: “They said it would start at around 4pm so they were here since midday. But the chaos happened at 7pm. We had to lock shoppers in, at 8.15pm we let them out one by one with police and security holding the doors shut and escorting them out.”
Shoppers were left terrified, the security guard said, one woman with a pram and a baby had to be escorted to safety by responding cops.
The teens ran riot through the high street as shops were forced to close earlyCredit: Instagram
McDonald’s was overrun by the mob and reportedly closed its doors earlier than usualCredit: Instagram
Teens reportedly hurled insults at responding officersCredit: Instagram
According to the M&S worker a branch of Boots on the high street wasn’t as well prepared and was targeted by the mob of teens.
A , and were all forced to close their doors early as the gang of yobs descended on the area.
from the scene showed groups of youngsters with balaclavas covering their faces gathered outside the stores on the high street.
Marked and unmarked police cars raced to the scene as the mob claimed control of the high street.
Cops were finally able to disperse the rioting teens at around 10:30pm.
During the chaos, traffic was brought to a standstill, fires were seen burning on nearby Clapham Common and commuters were forced to find refuge.
The saw a group of around 60 teens facing down cops as officers tried to disperse the crowds.
Insults were hurled at the officers as teens ran past them and continued their reign of terror.
A spokesman for the said: “Police are responding to an ongoing incident on Clapham High Street following reports of a large crowd of young people causing anti-social behaviour.
“Officers are on the scene, and a dispersal order has been put in place, meaning anyone congregating must leave the area.
“At this time two teenage girls have been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker. They have been taken to custody.
“Officers will remain in the area to offer support and respond to any concerns from local residents and businesses.”
It is understood that a similar incident on Saturday was arranged via social media.
Teens are reportedly encouraged to participate in the “” online with references on social media made to “the Clapham linkup.”
Saturday’s frenzied scenes occurred on the first day of the Easter with teens mostly away from school.
The Sun has contacted the Met Police for comment.
Last night’s flash-mob followed a similar incident which occurred on the first day of the Easter holidaysCredit: Instagram
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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