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Schoolgirl, 15, stabbed as fight breaks out at 4/20 ‘Weed Day’ gathering in Hyde Park

A 15-year-old girl was stabbed in the leg during the fight at Hyde Park. (Reuters)
A 15-year-old girl was stabbed in the leg during the fight at Hyde Park. (Reuters)

A 15-year-old girl was left with stab wounds after a fight broke out during the 4/20 ‘Weed Day’ gathering in London’s Hyde Park.

The gathering, which usually sees thousands turn up to smoke weed while protesting for cannabis to be legalised, had been cancelled because of ongoing coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

However, crowds still turned up and violence erupted at around 6.10pm on Tuesday.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police who were on patrol in the park were alerted to the fight and rushed to the scene to break it up.

SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Police officers give aid to a girl who was stabbed in the leg during a scuffle at a demonstration to mark the informal cannabis holiday, 4/20, in Hyde Park, London, Britain, April 20, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson
Police officers give aid to a girl who was stabbed in the leg during a scuffle at a demonstration to mark 4/20 in Hyde Park, London. (Reuters)
People sit and smoke during a demonstration to mark the informal cannabis holiday, 4/20, in Hyde Park, London, Britain, April 20, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson
People sit and smoke during a demonstration to mark 4/20 in Hyde Park, London. (Reuters)

After dispersing those who were involved in the scuffle, they discovered that the 15-year-old girl had been stabbed in the leg.

Officers carried out first aid at the scene before the London Ambulance Service were called to assist.

The girl was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries and was discharged following treatment.

Pictures from the scene show a crowd of people watching the fight take place, with one of the people involved appearing to hold a knife.

It is not clear whether those involved in the fight were taking part in the 4/20 gathering.

People gather and smoke during a demonstration to mark the informal cannabis holiday, 4/20, in Hyde Park, London, Britain, April 20, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson
The demonstration in hyde Park marks the informal cannabis holiday. (Reuters)

In a statement the Metropolitan Police said: “A number of people are likely to have seen what happened. They are asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC providing the reference CAD6227/20APR.”

An increased number of officers were already in Hyde Park due to the breach of COVID regulations.

Outdoor gatherings are currently only permitted for groups of up to six people, with regulations easing over the next two months.

Piers Corbyn, candidate for Mayor of London and brother of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, speaks through a megaphone, as a man smokes behind him, during a demonstration in Hyde Park to mark the informal cannabis holiday, 4/20, in London, Britain, April 20, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson
Piers Corbyn, candidate for mayor of London and brother of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, speaks during the 4/20 demonstration. (Reuters)

The annual "Weed Day" gathering take place on 20 April – which corresponds to the 4/20 code name.

Those who take part call for cannabis use to be legalised in the UK, where it is currently illegal to possess, grow, distribute or sell the drug.

Anyone caught carrying the drug can be handed a maximum of five years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both, while those convicted of producing and supplying the Class B drug could be jailed for up to 14 years.

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