Britain might not have a gun problem…but it does have a machete problem.
At a glance:
- Two men, armed with machetes, clashed on a busy East London street in broad daylight, terrifying onlookers.
- The fight forced traffic to a halt as bystanders, including families and children, pleaded for them to stop.
- Footage of the medieval-style altercation showed neither man landing a blow before the 14-second video ended.
A shocking altercation unfolded on High Street North in East Ham, East London, when two men brandishing machetes engaged in a violent struggle in the middle of the road. Horrified shoppers, including families with children, were seen retreating from the scene, while some onlookers pleaded with the men to stop.
Footage recorded by a shocked passenger on a nearby bus captured the chaos as the men, both dressed in black, swung their massive blades—one nearly two feet long, the other around one foot—at each other. Despite the intense nature of the clash, neither landed a strike during the brief encounter.
The video quickly circulated on social media, with viewers likening the scene to a “medieval-style battle” in the heart of London. One person can be heard in the footage pleading, “Don’t do it, please,” while another cries out, “Stop.”
The incident, which occurred on Monday afternoon, temporarily halted traffic. Cars, including a blue Skoda Octavia and a white Kia Sportage, were seen pausing in the road, with drivers clearly alarmed by the violent melee.
Members of the public, including children standing near a NatWest bank, watched as the terrifying scene played out. Thankfully, the confrontation ended without visible injuries before the video concluded.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were called to the scene around 1 PM, but by the time officers arrived, neither the suspects nor any victims could be located. The police have urged anyone with information to come forward, though no arrests have been made as of now.
The dramatic fight comes just days after a separate stabbing incident involving a 13-year-old boy in Bexleyheath, raising concerns about escalating violence in the capital.
Authorities continue to investigate the East Ham machete incident, with calls for the public to assist in identifying the individuals involved.