Chaotic Underground party on eve of alcohol ban in London results in 17 arrests; Union demands apology

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London Mayor Boris Johnson had introduced an alcohol ban on London's public transport network (London Underground, buses, Docklands Light Railway and tram services in the capital) from June 1 onwards and to mark the protest, several organizers including a banker, called on the Londoners to attend the "Last Round on the Circle line" on May 31 - a celebration of the final night before Boris Johnson's ban on carrying or drinking from open containers of alcohol came into force.

However, much to the shock of everyone, the crowd turned rowdy very fast and committed acts vandalism and carried out assaults on the Underground staff and police officers, resulting in a skirmish that led to the arrest of 17 people.

Eyewitnesses said uncontrolled crowds on the trains drank freely and soon turned violent and abusive, ripping maps and posters off the carriage walls and breaking windows.

While some revelers blacked out, others urinated and vomited in the carriages raising a stink, the eyewitnesses said.

Some revelers on the sly consumed drugs, they added.

The police also reported that fights broke out among some revelers who had to be arrested.

"Saturday night's event showed the negative impact of alcohol and we took action to arrest those whose behavior was disorderly and criminal," said Superintendent Ellie Bird, of British Transport Police.

Several people have criticized the British Transport police for not deploying extra officers specifically to handle the event, though the police authorities said there would be an "increased presence" of police on the Underground due to a "number of major events."

According to Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, the chaos was "far uglier" than reported in the local newspapers and Johnson was to be blamed for imposing the ban "with haste without consultations."

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