Eleven police officers were attacked when trying to disperse a block party with around 500 attendees during the coronavirus lockdown.

Metropolitan Police officers were called to a block party around Gifford Road and Church Road in Harlesden on June 2, at around 6.45pm.

At the time there were less people present at the gathering, but social distancing rules were still being broken.

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

Once officers attended the scene, groups were told to disperse - but a larger group of 500 people gathered in Paulet Way.

Police say that eleven officers were attacked when trying to disperse the larger group, leaving the officers with minor injuries.

Five people at the block party were arrested - three arrests were for assault, one for array and one for attempted grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving.

All the people arrested remain in custody at this time.

Harrow Times: Police were seen trying to disperse groups, but failed initiallyPolice were seen trying to disperse groups, but failed initially

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

It wasn't until around 3.40am when police managed to entirely disperse the gathering.

Chief Superintendent Roy Smith, commander for north west London, said: "Our officers are working hard to engage with the public to reinforce the public health advice on social distancing and large gatherings - overwhelmingly our local communities have been supportive and responded to this approach and we thank them for that.

"To the very small minority who chose to break the law last night and who were not from the local area, I am clear; you do not reflect the communities of Brent and we will take appropriate action.

"Local residents should be reassured we will be increasing our patrols in the area following the incident."

The Harrow Times were told that some of the attendees at the party came from as far as south London.

Harrow Times: Around 500 people were at the party (Photo: UGC)Around 500 people were at the party (Photo: UGC)

Brent Central MP Dawn Butler said she was "stunned" but "not too shocked" about the footage of the mass gathering.

She said: "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."

The MP pleaded that people make "informed decisions" and "avoid situations" like the party.

Read more: Brent Central MP 'not too shocked' about footage of 500 people at block party

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.”