On October 31st, 2009, at 12:24 a.m., the London Police Service received a call from a concerned citizen regarding a large student party in the area of 280 Thurman Circle, London, Ontario.
The London Police Service then received further calls indicating the crowd was in access of 300 people who were partying in the street, turning over vehicles, breaking windows of residences, causing property damage, climbing on wooden fences, and swarming vehicles as they attempted to drive down the street
London Police Service attended the area and observed a large tumultuous crowd of approximately 500 people who began to chant anti-police slogans and throw beer bottles. While Police were waiting for additional units to arrive the crowd continued its tumultuous behaviour slowly advancing towards the police and continually throwing beer bottles, glass plates and various debris at the officers.At 1:04 a.m., Police received a call for assistance at 184 Thurman Circle from a male who had fallen, hit his head and was unconscious. Paramedics and Firefighters were also dispatched to attend for this injured person, but were unable to reach him due to this chaotic and disorderly crowd. As a result of the overwhelming risk to public and emergency personnel’s safety within the entire neighbourhood, the crowd was deemed to be an Unlawful Assembly and overt crowd control / dispersement measure were employed by police. 22 people were arrested for being participants of an Unlawful Assembly, 1 male who officers on scene were able to positively identify as throwing beer bottles was arrested and charged with Assault Police.The London Police Service had in place an Operational Plan and had deployed additional officers to address the anticipated increase in calls for service associated to the Halloween weekend. However, in light of the extreme level of disorderly and unlawful conduct displayed in the Thurman Circle neighbourhood, an even great police deployment will occur this evening throughout the City and specifically in the Thurman Circle neighbourhood. The London Police Service will to continue to ensure the safety of the public and maintain public order, public disorder and unlawful acts will not be tolerated and will be met with a strong police response and strict enforcement.A police video of last night’s disturbance is available and can be obtained upon request through the LPS media officer
