The MP for Brent Central has said she was "stunned" but "not too shocked" about the footage of a mass gathering in a block party at Harlesden.

Last night (June 2), around 500 young people attended a block party to drink and dance in close proximity, despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Metropolitan Police deployed police helicopters and attempted to disperse crowds gathered around Gifford Road and Church Road in Harlesden.

However residents say that after police attended the scene and five arrests were made, the party continued many hours into the early morning.

Brent Central MP Dawn Butler said: "It has come to my attention from several social media clips sent to me that an illegal block party was held in Brent yesterday.

"For something that started at around 30 people and ended up with around 500 people, I was stunned but upon reflection, not too shocked.

"Recent reports in regard to how the Prime Minister’s Chief Adviser Dominic Cummings blatantly broke the rules whilst he was suspected to be infected with the Coronavirus, and has been protected by government, has irked a lot of people – myself included.

"A Government that is morally bankrupt when it comes to following their own rules, and when it comes to issues of race, lacks any moral authority to tell people what to do. I understand this more than most.

"However, our community in Brent has suffered hugely from COVID-19. We have the highest amount of deaths out of all London Boroughs. And everyone needs to know that, according to ONS data, Church Road has had far more deaths than anywhere else in the surrounding areas."

Watford Observer:

Around 500 people were at the party.

Brent currently has 1,476 cases of Covid-19 and has the second highest recorded cases in London, with Croydon having 1,511 cases.

The MP continued: "I am sure we all know someone who has died or who has suffered from this virus, therefore we must look after our own. That means making informed decisions.

"The virus is still prevalent and there is no vaccination. Hundreds of people are still dying every day in this country, while Black Asian and Minority Ethnic people are 3 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than any other group."

"I have been on record as being worried about the second spike in the virus and I really hope that we won’t see a second spike in Brent."

Footage seen by the Harrow Times shows many people dancing up close, drinking and participants jumping fences.

At one point near 1am, fireworks were set off at the party.

Police helicopters were seen flying around the area for many hours as they surveyed the gathering.

Watford Observer:

Police attended the scene to try disperse crowds

Ms Butler is urging for her young constituents in Brent to keep social distancing and avoid mass gatherings like the one yesterday.

She said: "So, I say to the predominantly young people in Brent: I know it is hard. I understand being cooped up isn’t easy, but please make informed decisions and avoid situations like the one yesterday.

"Act like you have the virus and everyone around you has the virus. Know that Black Asian people are 3 times more likely to die from the virus.

"I know that personally I don’t want to be responsible for giving the virus to my Mum, so I haven’t seen her in weeks. Let us all understand the risks and the law and do what we can to keep safe – ourselves, friends, families and the community.

"Our community is our strength and we must do all we can to protect each other."

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council said: “I’ve been inundated with messages from residents furious at last night’s illegal street party on Church Road. The people involved in this late night gathering have put themselves – and their friends and families – at enormous risk of serious illness in an area already hard hit by coronavirus.

“Covid 19 has not gone away so it is really important that illegal street parties like this are not repeated. My message to anyone thinking of getting involved in similar events is, please do not risk bringing the virus home and infecting your loved ones. Put simply: events like this cost lives and should not be repeated.”

Last night Brent MPS Tweeted: "Police are currently in the area of Gifford Road, #NW10, following reports of a unlicensed music event.

"Officers are engaging and dispersing a large group of people gathered in the area. There has been one arrest.

"The National Police Air Service (NPAS) is providing assistance."

The number of arrests later increased to five.

Police say they will be increasing patrols around the area after the events last night.