POLICE believe they foiled serious violence and injury after officers found six knives hidden near a bonfire night party for young people on Saturday. The blades were discovered during a massive operation to police the Bigga Fish Bonfire Bash held at the

POLICE believe they foiled serious violence and injury after officers found six knives hidden near a bonfire night party for young people on Saturday.

The blades were discovered during a massive operation to police the Bigga Fish Bonfire Bash held at the Roundhouse on Chalk Farm Road.

Numerous officers were drafted into the area after intelligence units warned of possible organised gang fights at the hip hop event for under-18s.

Special stop and search powers were introduced for the day and knife arches were installed outside the venue. On top of the police presence 30 security guards and youth workers were also on duty.

According to police the event passed off largely trouble free but the haul of knives, mainly hidden under bollards in the streets outside the Roundhouse, suggested it could have been a very different story.

Chief Inspector Sean Wilson told the Ham&High: "Let's be realistic, you don't hide knives under traffic cones for no reason and the fact they were found suggests it would be reasonable to believe that serious violence and injury was averted.

"We obviously believed there was potential for serious violence in the area so we had the Section 60 search powers in place and as a matter of procedure we then looked around the area for weapons."

Four arrests were made on the night after minor outbreaks of trouble and despite a minor scuffle inside the venue the event was considered a big success by organisers Bigga Fish, a not-for-profit youth organisation.

Bigga Fish director, Nii Sackey, said: "It is unfortunate that a few individuals would try and potentially spoil the fun for everyone else, but the small altercation did not dampen the spirits for the 2,000 young people who attended the Bigga Fish Bonfire Bash and the night was a great success. We look forward to working even closer with the local authority and are already looking forward to our next event."

Mr Sackey recently received the Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award at this year's Urban Music Awards.