Key Points:
- Two Hackney teenagers, aged 14 and 16, have been charged after an incident at Westfield Stratford.
- The boys allegedly threw heavy seating from the top floor of the shopping centre.
- The act was captured on social media, showing furniture narrowly missing shoppers below.
- Both teens have been charged with criminal damage with intent to endanger life.
- They were arrested on March 4, three days after the incident occurred on March 1.
- They are due to appear at Stratford Youth Court on May 6.
- The suspects cannot be named due to legal restrictions on underage defendants.
Two teenagers from Hackney have been charged with criminal damage with intent to endanger life after footage emerged of a heavy seat being thrown from the top floor of Westfield Stratford City.
What happened at Westfield Stratford?
The incident took place on March 1 and was widely shared online, showing a piece of furniture being hurled from a balcony at the multi-level shopping centre. The seat narrowly missed unsuspecting shoppers below as it crashed to the ground.
Who are the suspects and what are the charges?
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the two boys, aged 14 and 16, were arrested on March 4 and formally charged on April 8. They are facing one count each of criminal damage with intent to endanger life. Because of their ages, their identities are protected under UK law.
When is the court appearance?
Both teenagers are expected to appear at Stratford Youth Court on May 6. No pleas have been entered at this stage, and the investigation remains ongoing.
How did the public react?
The footage prompted widespread concern, with many social media users expressing shock at the dangerous nature of the act. The video shows the seat being thrown over the railings from a significant height, landing just metres from where people were walking.
What has the police said?
The Metropolitan Police have not released further comment but reiterated the seriousness of the charges and the ongoing nature of the proceedings.
Why is the incident significant?
The event has reignited concerns about youth behaviour in public spaces and the potential consequences of social media-driven stunts. With the shopping centre often crowded, the outcome could have been fatal, prompting swift legal action.
