Shopkeepers told to lock their doors in UK neighbourhood over TikTok riot fears

Shopkeepers have been told to be on their guard in one UK neighbourhood today after videos began spreading on social media encouraging people to riot and loot shops.

Police issued the warning this weekend for Broadway Shopping Centre in Bexleyheath, south east London, where business owners have reportedly been advised to "close your doors until the trouble subsides" if violence erupts.

A dispersal order is in place until 3.59pm on Sunday, giving officers the power to order people to leave the area and arrest those who do not comply.

The shopping centre management told tenants in a letter on Friday that they had increased security throughout the premises and at all main entrances - though said the rumours of trouble "may come to nothing". They also said they would close the centre altogether disorder begins to appear outside.

The notice also covers Bexleyheath town centre and the nearby area of Welling. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "There will be an increased policing presence in Bexleyheath town centre this weekend following speculation on social media that people plan to cause anti-social behaviour. Anyone who does take part in criminal activity will be dealt with.

UK riots: Keir Starmer announces emergency Cobra meeting in response to violence across country

"A Section 35 dispersal order is in place between 16:00hrs on Friday, 11 August and 15:59hrs on Sunday, 13 August. This give officers the power to stop people entering a specific area. Anyone who fails to comply with the order can be arrested." Following online speculation, Bexley Borough in the Met Police's South East Command Unit tweeted later in the morning to clarify that the area is "not on lockdown", and that the town centre is open as normal.

It comes after nine people were arrested when violence inspired by social media posts on TikTok and Snapchat erupted on Oxford Street on Thursday. Chaotic scenes on Europe's busiest shopping street saw a total of 34 people ordered to disperse after officers received advance warning of a planned 'riot' at the JD Sports shop, with underground stations at Goodge Street and Warren Street temporarily shut due to a request from the police.

A woman with a pram was also knocked to the ground by crowds, while officers could be seen holding batons outside a McDonald's as they clamped down on the disorder. One witness also described around 100 teenagers "running amok" on nearby Regent Street.

The Met Police said in a statement: "Throughout Wednesday (9 August) officers maintained a high visibility presence within the Oxford Street area. As of 8.15pm officers have issued 34 people with dispersal orders and made nine arrests. Four people were arrested on suspicion of breaching the dispersal order, one person was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to steal, one person arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and one person was arrested on suspicion of public order offence."

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has called for those who took part in a suspected TikTok-inspired raid of shops in London's Oxford Street to be "hunted down" and jailed. She said in a video posted on social media: “We cannot allow the kind of lawlessness seen in some American cities to come to the streets of the UK. The police have my full backing to do whatever necessary to ensure public order. Those responsible must be hunted down & locked up. I expect nothing less from the @metpoliceuk and have requested a full incident report.” A similar disturbance took place in Southend, Essex on Friday, where a group of teens wearing balaclavas were stopped by police following plans shared on TikTok to 'get lit' on the city's beach.