Carnage broke out in London overnight as at least three shootings took place – one reportedly involving a sub-machine gun – and multiple illegal raves were held.
Two people were reportedly shot in Hackney while another two men were shot in Brixton and a third shooting took place in Croydon just yards from West Croydon station.
The first shooting reportedly took place on the Angell Town estate in Brixton at about 7pm.
Police on scene after reports of a sub-machine gun shooting in Brixton last night. London’s streets saw another night of violence as reports of at least two shootings have emerged
Witnesses say 17 shots were fired at the two men in Brixton at about 7pm on Friday evening
Armed Police, Paramedic and Response officers rushed to the scene after reports that 17 shots were fired.
The men were treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital for further treatment.
The surrounding area was locked down by cops as they searched for the shooter.
Reports suggest a man was later arrested, but the sub-machine gun continues has not been found.
A spokesman for the Met Police said: ‘Police were called at 6.52pm on Friday, 31 July to reports of gunshots heard in the vicinity of Akerman Road, SW9.
‘Officers, including firearms officers, attended and found damage to two parked vehicles.
‘There was no trace of any victims. Police were called a short time later to a south London hospital after two males self-presented with gunshot injuries.
‘We await an update on their condition. Officers remain at the scene. At this early stage, there have been no arrests and enquiries continue.’
Two other people were shot at a silent party – an unlicensed music event – that was being held in Mandeville street in Hackney in East London.
Three men were reportedly detained by officers at Homerton hospital after they transported the victims in a blue BMW to get live saving treatment after being shot in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The detained men had all been at the gathering that was held in Willington court in E5.
Armed officers were scrambled to both Homerton Hospital and Mandeville Street and the hospital was put on lockdown.
Witnesses reported seeing specialist blood and explosives detection dogs being used to search the area.
Reports suggest a bullet casing and a machete were found on a bridge near the scene of the shootings.
Police on the scene of a second shooting in Mendeville Street in Hackney early this morning
Armed officers rushed to Homerton Hospital after a shooting victim was dropped off in a BMW
Officers on scene of a shooting in Hackney which took place in the early hours of Saturday
A spokesman for the Met Police said: ‘Police were called at 1.12am on Saturday, 1 August to Mandeville Street E5 following reports of men fighting.
‘At approximately At 1.23am police were informed that a 30-year-old man and a 31-year-old man had been taken to an east London hospital with stab and gunshot wounds.
‘This is currently being treated as linked to the earlier incident.
‘Both men are not believed to have sustained life-threatening injuries and they both remain in hospital.
‘A 30-year-old man [A] and a 31-year-old man [B] have been arrested in connection with this incident and are currently custody.’
Armed officers were also called to London Road in Croydon in the early hours of Saturday morning as London saw at least its third shooting in one night.
A man believed to be in his 20s was shot at close range near West Croydon station.
The road was cordoned off after reports of the shooting, and a forensic examination has taken place.
Police said no arrests have been made but enquiries into the shooting continue.
Elsewhere, police officers were out in force and road closures were in place as more than 150 people attended an illegal rave in Archway.
Residents reported a large police presence and disturbances in Tavistock Terrace in the early hours of this morning.
Ch Supt Roy Smith, of the Met Police, said: ‘Officers were out this evening closing down illegal and antisocial parties playing loud music into the early hours.
Police shut down illegal rave with more than 150 people in London as revellers risk spreading COVID while breaking social distancing rules at the party in Archway last night
‘Packed groups of 150+ people risking the spread of COVID and keeping poor families with young children away at 3am.’
Photos from the scene show officers confronting a large number of members of the public in the street.
Ch Supt Roy Smith also shared a picture of a closure order which was issued to one property in the street as officers dispersed the crowds.
A closure notice prohibits access to the premises for the period specified in the notice.
Only the police or council can initiate the process to close premises which are causing antisocial behaviour, if they reasonably believe that there is, or is likely to be a nuisance to members of the public, or disorder relating to the premises and in its vicinity.
In addition, the notice must be necessary to prevent occurrence or re-occurrence of the nuisance or disorder.
The force has yet to confirm whether anyone was arrested as a result of the incident.
It comes as Britain sweltered on the third hottest day in the UK on record with temperatures reaching 37.8 degrees Celsius in the capital.
Revellers hit the pubs and bars to enjoy the mini heatwave sparking concerns social distancing was being ignored and the Met said extra officers were deployed to London’s streets in a bid to tackle illegal music events and parties.
The Met issued a closure notice to a property in Tavistock Terrace, London, during illegal party
The force has launched a campaign to tackle these kinds of events saying: ‘Unlicensed music events are illegal, have no security, are not ticketed and often attract antisocial behaviour and violence.
‘We will not standby and allow these events to happen. They will be shut down.’
The Met is asking members of the public to report any illegal events they may be aware of ahead of time by using their Twitter page or calling Crimestoppers.
A spokesman said: ‘We acknowledge there’s been an increase in violent crime and unlicensed music events across the capital and in order to combat this, we’re putting out additional officers across London this weekend.
‘Coupled with that we’re proactively targeting those we know are involved in violence and violent crime in particular.
‘We would like the public to help us by contacting us on Twitter or via Crimestoppers or our non-emergency number on 101.’