Merton Police have prevented a “very large” house party from happening with around 100 youths in attendance in Morden.

Officers were alerted at 8.30pm last night (March 3) to around 100 youths causing a disturbance in the area.

Police say there were reports of dangerous crowding, people going into residential gardens and people on roofs.

Hundreds more people were expected to attend, according to police, and a section 35 dispersal order was authorised to assist operation.

Officers from the Territorial Support Group attended the scene to ensure that the situation would not escalate.

Those arriving in the area were told that no event was to take place due to “serious concerns” about attendees safety and the potential for disorder and disruption.

By 10pm the situation had largely been dealt with and the Section 35 dispersal order was withdrawn shortly after midnight.

Officers say they are “grateful” for the support of the young people who were understanding police concerns and willing to co-operate with police.

A spokesperson for Merton Police said: “Met officers acted quickly to prevent what would have been significant disruption, and potentially disorder, as hundreds of youths made their way to a house party in Morden.

“Moreover, the risk of injury to the crowds of people expected to gather at the address in North Close was significant.

“Officers were alerted at around 8.30pm on Friday March 3, to around 100 youths causing a disturbance in the area.

“There were reports of dangerous crowding, people going into residential gardens and even people on roofs.

“Intelligence suggested hundreds more people were expected to attend, and a section 35 dispersal order was authorised to assist the policing operation.

“Additional resources were quickly deployed, including officers from the Territorial Support Group to ensure that the situation did not escalate.

“Those arriving in the area were informed by officers that no event was to take place due to our serious concerns about their safety and the potential for disorder and disruption.

“By around 10pm the situation had largely been dealt with and the Section 35 dispersal order was withdrawn shortly after midnight.

“We are grateful for the support of the many young people who were understanding of our concerns and willing to co-operate with police.

“Thank you to them.

“Thank you to local people in Morden and to young people in the area for their co-operation with officers responding to concerns about a very large house party.”