Police issue dispersal order as schoolchildren cause chaos in Milton Keynes shopping centre

Massive Disturbance in Milton Keynes Shopping Centre

On Thursday afternoon, a chaotic scene unfolded at a shopping centre in Milton Keynes as hundreds of schoolchildren engaged in disruptive behavior, leading to a confrontation with security guards and the police.

Incident Escalation

The situation quickly escalated as some of the schoolchildren were observed tussling with security guards, with one incident captured on video and widely shared on social media. The footage depicts a security guard seizing a boy's backpack, causing him to fall to the ground. Additionally, the crowds of children, many of whom were in school uniform, were seen pushing and shoving both the guards and police officers.

Eyewitness Account

An eyewitness, 36-year-old Janey Chandler, recounted the alarming experience, stating that she witnessed a commotion involving numerous schoolchildren outside Boots. She described the scene as chaotic, with several boys being separated and dragged away by security, while the rest of the children scattered, shouting and engaging in further altercations elsewhere in the vicinity.

Police Intervention

Thames Valley Police swiftly responded to the disturbance by issuing a dispersal order, encompassing central Milton Keynes until midnight on Thursday, in an effort to address the extensive anti-social behavior involving approximately 300 children.

National Concern

This unsettling incident underscores the growing concerns regarding anti-social behavior in public spaces. Government commissioners, including Baroness Newlove and Nicole Jacobs, have emphasized the need for a more serious approach to persistent anti-social behavior, challenging the notion that it should be deemed a "low-level" problem.

Furthermore, the episode in Milton Keynes follows previous warnings from officials, with former Home Secretary Suella Braverman cautioning about the potential emergence of US-style lawlessness after a social media campaign incited violence on Oxford Street. The campaign, urging individuals to "rob JD Sports," resulted in clashes between numerous young people and law enforcement, posing a significant threat to public safety.