Emergency services had to rescue around 75 individuals from elevated positions during Arsenal’s Premier League trophy parade on Sunday, as eager supporters scaled trees, buildings and traffic signals hoping to catch a glimpse of their title-winning heroes.
The London Fire Brigade confirmed the height-related rescues took place as the open-top bus procession wound through north London’s streets, which were shrouded in red smoke from flares and pyrotechnics.
Nine people were detained by police during the celebrations, the Metropolitan Police announced by 6pm.
Charges ranged from being drunk and disorderly to drugs-related offences, sexual assault and attacks on emergency service personnel.
Nine people have been arrested during Arsenal’s title parade
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REUTERS
Firefighters were also called to tackle a blaze at a hotel, which investigators believe was sparked by an errant flare from the festivities.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne of the London Fire Brigade said: “Fortunately, the fire caused only a small amount of damage to the exterior of the building.”
He added that pyrotechnics were thought to have set off fire alarms at multiple other locations in the surrounding area.
Mr Goulbourne urged departing supporters to avoid using flares and similar devices, particularly at transport hubs, and to ensure they were kept well away from structures and combustible materials.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the nine arrests encompassed a range of offences, with individuals taken into custody for intoxication-related disorder, possession of controlled substances, a sexual assault and violence directed at emergency workers.
More than 500 officers were in action during the title parade
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GETTY
More than 500 officers had been assigned to police the parade route, which stretched 5.6 miles through Islington and circled the Emirates Stadium.
The force posted details of the arrests on X as the two-hour procession concluded. Despite the incidents requiring police intervention, the vast majority of the estimated half-million supporters who turned out celebrated without causing trouble.
The celebrations marked Arsenal’s first top-flight championship in 22 years, drawing what some estimates put at half a million supporters to the streets of north London.
Police clashed with Arsenal fans on the streets of London
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GETTY
The parade came just 18 hours after the squad suffered Champions League final heartbreak against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest, losing on penalties.
As evening fell, fans lingered in the area, appearing somewhat dazed following the trophy procession. Roads were strewn with discarded cans, bottles, abandoned e-bikes and other rubbish from the day’s festivities.
Supporters continued singing and chanting as they gradually made their way towards Underground stations, with the joyous atmosphere persisting despite the earlier incidents.
