Police swamp Ilford pub and it closes early after group of travellers turn up - the right response or an over reaction?

THIS was the scene outside an Ilford pub after a large group of travellers turned up for a drink.

Several police vehicles, including at least four cars and two vans, including three from the Territorial Support Group (TSG), were filmed in the roads bordering the Prince of Wales in Green Lane, on Sunday evening.

There were groups of people outside and several police officers near the beer garden trying to disperse them.

The story was first broken by our sister Tiktok account @newsaddictclub on Sunday.

According to a source, some from within the group, said to consist mainly of Irish Travellers, were refused service and it is alleged that at least one tried to get behind the bar before police were called and the pub took the decision to close early.

Despite the large presence no arrests were made.

One witness to the aftermath said: "The police were not messing about and had a big presence, including three TSG vans."

Another said: "It seems a bit over the top to me. You report a serious crime like a burglary and police are nowhere to be seen, but report a few travellers or an offensive tweet and they are mob handed like a shot."

People representing the traveller community point out that there are "bad apples" in all communities and they cannot be held responsible for the behaviour of a minority of individuals."

A met Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 19:36hrs on Sunday, 9 August to reports of a disturbance at a pub on Green Lane in Ilford.

"Officers attended and dispersed a group of around 30 people. No arrests were made."