North London was transformed into a sea of red and white after more than 1.5 million Arsenal supporters reportedly gathered to celebrate the club’s Premier League title victory in what is being described as the biggest sporting parades ever witnessed in the United Kingdom.
The celebrations followed Arsenal’s first Premier League triumph in more than two decades, with thousands of supporters arriving from different parts of Britain and abroad to witness the historic open-top bus parade.
Fans packed major roads across Islington and areas surrounding the Emirates Stadium, waving club flags, singing Arsenal songs and cheering players as they travelled through North London aboard specially prepared buses.
The Metropolitan Police said more than 500 officers had been deployed as part of one of the force’s largest operations this year due to the expected turnout.
While the day was largely peaceful, authorities later confirmed a series of serious incidents connected to the celebrations.
The Metropolitan Police said six people were stabbed during incidents reported on the parade footprint later in the evening, after much of the crowd had dispersed. One man in his 20s was taken to the hospital in a life-threatening condition before later being reported as stable.
Police also confirmed that 24 people were arrested for various offences, including assaulting police officers, sexual assault, grievous bodily harm, public disorder, drug-related offences and possession of weapons.
According to the Metropolitan Police, 10 of those arrested were suspected of assaulting officers. One officer suffered a slash wound to the hand while another was struck on the head by objects thrown during the celebrations.
Emergency services were also forced to rescue dozens of supporters who climbed rooftops, traffic structures and other elevated areas to get a better view of the parade. The London Fire Brigade said around 75 people were assisted or rescued from dangerous heights during the event.
Firefighters also responded to a small hotel fire believed to have been caused by a flare as celebrations continued across the city.
Despite the incidents, authorities said the overwhelming majority of supporters celebrated responsibly.
Commander Stuart Bell of the Metropolitan Police thanked Arsenal fans for their cooperation and said most people attending the event behaved safely throughout the day. However, he acknowledged that officers had to deal with pockets of violence and anti-social behaviour as celebrations continued into the night.
The parade itself marked a major moment for Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta, whose side finally ended the club’s long wait for a Premier League title after a season many supporters described as one of the most memorable in recent history.
