Eritrean protesters attacked Met police vans with sticks in lawless scenes outside South London theatre ‘after community tensions boiled over’ – with four cops hurt and eight people arrested

Four police officers were injured yesterday in violent scenes in south London following protests by the Eritrean community.

About 50 people gathered outside a private location before the violence broke out, the Metropolitan Police said.

The clashes in Camberwell saw people brandishing sticks and clashing with officers following “tensions in the Eritrean community”, the force added.

Eight people were arrested and there was still a heavy police presence at the scene of the incident at The Lighthouse Theater on Saturday evening.

In a statement, the Met said people have been arrested for offenses including violent disorder, criminal damage, possession of offensive weapons and assault on an emergency worker.

Southwark Police said: 'Eight people were arrested in Camberwell this afternoon for offenses including violent disorder, criminal damage, possession of offensive weapons and assault on an emergency worker.

Police are on the scene after a disturbance at The Lighthouse in South East London

'Four officers were injured, one of whom was taken to hospital and has since been discharged.

'All those involved in the demonstration have dispersed. A significant number of officers remain in the area, and a Section 35 remains in force which gives officers the power to disperse any further gatherings they believe could lead to anti-social behaviour.

'Officers worked with a group of people who were organizing an event at a private venue in Camberwell Road.

“Those arrested were part of a group of protesters who gathered outside the venue.”

The Met also said everyone involved had been dispersed and additional officers had been called in to provide support.

The Met said people have been arrested for offenses including violent disorder, criminal damage, possession of offensive weapons and assault on an emergency worker

The Lighthouse Theater hosts large and small events, such as weddings, theme parties and conferences

Traffic also came to a standstill when the demonstrators ended up in the middle of the road

The violence broke out following “tensions” within the Eritrean community, the Met Police said

Police officers are seen with batons drawn as they deal with protesters armed with sticks

The protest is said to have been sparked by representatives of the Eritrean government who attended a meeting in London

A dispersal order was issued in the area until 7am today.

One person on

“People I've spoken to say the Eritrean embassy held a meeting and the protesters showed up and there was a confrontation between the two groups,” he said.

“Now they are targeting protesters while Eritrean government personnel are still in the building, I think.”

Police riot vans and officers are seen attending the violent scenes in Camberwell

The Met Police sent extra officers as Eritrean protesters attacked riot vans with sticks outside a south London theater

The Lighthouse Theater hosts large and small events, such as weddings, theme parties and conferences.

Footage posted on social media shows protesters hitting police cars with sticks as they swarmed the area.

Huge crowds of people can be seen blocking the road as cars are stopped and a large police presence surrounds the area.

Shocking scenes also appear to show protesters carrying blue flags pointing sticks at officers, with one launching a traffic barrier into the police queue.

The protest is said to have been sparked by representatives of the Eritrean government who attended a meeting in London.

The controversial African nation remains under the “one-man dictatorship” of President Isaias Afewerki, according to international advocacy group Human Rights Watch, with no “legislature, no independent civil society organizations or media outlets and no independent judiciary.”

Tens of thousands of people have fled Eritrea for Europe. Many claim they have been mistreated by Afwerki's repressive government.