Rampaging shoppers jump on police car after London clothes giveaway goes wrong

A busy shopping street in London has descended into chaos after a clothing giveaway went wrong.

Huge crowds gathered on Carnaby Street following a marketing stunt offering free clothes by two brands popular on Instagram and TikTok from midday on Saturday.

The launch, a collaboration between brands Up In Flames and Poser, only revealed its exact location on Saturday morning and saw thousands of people descend upon central London.

But the pop-up has been branded ‘the worst pop-up of all time’, with huge crowds chanting ‘f*** the feds’ after police arrived at the scene.

TikTok clips from user @fitswitharchie show groups of teenagers running after a van apparently containing the clothing, some even clinging on to the back of the van so they didn’t have to run.

The drivers, two men wearing scarves over their faces, stopped the van and started throwing free items out to the huge crowds.

It’s claimed people were ‘punching each other in the face’ in order to get hold of free t-shirts and other items.

Some people apparently passed out in the crowd while others stole clothes from those who managed to get hold of the free items, and despite police quickly arriving on bikes, they were unable to calm the situation.

One teenager was even seen jumping on the bonnet of a police car after a number of rapid response vehicles arrived at the scene, while another stood on the roof of a police vehicle wearing a Metropolitan Police reflective jacket.

Eventually, more police officers were sent to the scene and managed to disperse the crowds.

A Section 35 Dispersal Order, which expired at midnight, was put in place across the borough of Westminster. 

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: ‘Police were called at 12:09hrs on Saturday, 22 February following reports of a large crowd gathering in Soho in relation to an apparent marketing stunt that had been advertised online.

‘During the incident, some of the crowd caused damage to an unattended police vehicle.

‘Officers have since arrested two boys under the age of 16, on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle, criminal damage and affray. They have been bailed whilst enquiries remain ongoing.

‘A Section 35 Dispersal Order for the borough of Westminster was put in place throughout the evening and no further related issues were reported.’

Metro has contacted Up In Flames and Poser for comment

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