国际英语新闻:UK PM slams "appalling" scenes of violence on south London street

LONDON, June 25 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday condemned the "appalling" scenes in Brixton in south London where 22 police officers were injured and police cars smashed up when they tried to break up an "unlicensed" street party Wednesday night.

A spokesman for the prime minister said the British government would shortly be launching a consultation on doubling the maximum sentence for assaulting an emergency worker.

"These were appalling scenes. Violence against the police will not be tolerated," the spokesman said.

"We have been clear that anyone who assaults the police or any of our emergency service workers who keep us safe should feel the full force of the law," he said.

Scotland Yard said officers were confronted by a "hostile" crowd as they tried to break up the "block party" on Overton Road, Brixton.

Footage of the chaotic scene shows men jumping on a police car and smashing the windows.

A number of police vehicles were damaged while two officers required hospital treatment for their injuries, the Met Police said.

Four people, who were arrested Thursday morning for assault and public order offences, remain in police custody.

Earlier Thursday, Home Secretary Priti Patel described the images as "utterly vile scenes," saying that she would be speaking to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick.

The trouble flared at what police described the "unlicensed" music event which started on Wednesday afternoon and ran into the early hours of Thursday morning.