Crowds watching fights at Britannia Junction

FIGHT fans have been running unlicensed boxing matches on the pavement outside Camden Town tube station with little safety equipment, it has been claimed.

Police began investigating after crowds began to gather to watch young people in their 20s punch it out in a makeshift ring marked out with tape on the pavement in Britannia Junction. Most of those taking part have been seen with boxing gloves on but witnesses said their had been also been ‘bare knuckle’ contests.

Officers have been warned they should look at whether bets are changing on hands on the fights, although this is not a current line of inquiry. Onlookers were left perplexed at the prominent choice of location.

Primrose Hill resident Phil Cowan passes Britannia Junction frequently and also volunteers there in the evenings with Streets Kitchen when they give out free food and drinks to rough sleepers.

He told the New Journal that people had stopped coming to their outreach because of the group, adding: “That area we operate in is a strangely safe area for our volunteers and our friends. We know the space really well.

“People are very respectful of how we operate there. I don’t know where this bunch of people have emerged from. The tone of what they’re doing is aggressive. A lot of our guests aren’t showing up any more, or come see what’s going on and leaving early. I contacted a few and asked them if they were ok. They said ‘we’re not coming down again until that goes’.

The atmosphere is not nice; it’s sketchy. “The people organising it are quite aggressive to the volunteers. They’ve been hassling us for coffees and food and we’re not there to serve them. They’re dumping their stuff on our tables. “I’m concerned for their own safety too. If someone goes over and hits their head on the concrete floor they’re finished.”

He said that it seemed to him that people were cash betting on the matches. Mr Cowan said he’s seen the group there for the past seven times he was on outreach. The police were alerted on May 20.

He added: “My main concern is that our guests are not feeling safe, they’re the number one priority in my books. Generally the public being safe as well. The police should be cracking down on it, but nothing seems to be happening.” Britannia Junction is popular with buskers, street performers and preachers.

The New Journal reported earlier this year how the council said it was cracking down on buskers in that area after residents complained that musicians were playing the same songs on repeat at loud levels.

A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “We are aware of anti-social behaviour in the Camden Town area and local officers are working to tackle the issue in order to make residents feel safer. We have listened to concerns and are actively working with partners to reduce problems.

“In this instance, the identified organiser has been issued a Community Protection Warning about their behaviour and the behaviour of others they are encouraging. They have had conditions place on them that, if breached, could lead to further enforcement.

“We encourage residents in the area to report any offences when they are taking place, or to contact the police if they become aware of any planned events that are likely to result in anti-social behaviour. “You can contact the police by calling 101 or reporting concerns online. In an emergency, always dial 999.”

A Camden Council spokesperson said:“We are aware of unlicensed boxing matches taking place in this location. We are working closely with the police to protect this space and disperse the group.”