17 Held After Tube Party Turns Sour

[Oldbillplod]

Police have arrested 17 people and closed six London Underground stations following chaotic scenes after thousands partied to mark the last day of drinking on the Tube, British Transport Police (BTP) said.

An alcohol ban has come into effect on the Tube, London buses, Docklands Light Railway and tram services across the capital banning people drinking from - and carrying - open containers of alcohol.

The measure was announced last month by new London mayor Boris Johnson.

But a night that started in a celebratory mood soon turned sour as thousands of revellers poured into London's Tube stations.

Four train drivers and three other London Underground staff were assaulted, one police vehicle was damaged and two officers assaulted and another injured.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said 17 people were arrested for offences such as assault, drunk and disorderly, assault on police, public order-related offences and drug offences.

The Tube stations closed by police were Liverpool Street, Euston, Euston Square, Aldgate, Gloucester Road and Baker Street.

Eyewitnesses said there were nightmarish scenes on trains and in stations as thousands of drunken partygoers began fighting and vomiting as the night drew to a conclusion.

A BTP spokesman said the force ran Operation Rowan, which was centred around policing of the Circle Line because of the planned gathering.

The spokesman said there was a "large amount" of disorder reported to police and "multiple instances" of trains being damaged leading to them being withdrawn from service.