Fans 'crushed' and four arrests as hundreds scramble to see YouTube star Adam Saleh in east London

Adam Saleh in Ilford: Four men were arrested and fans were 'crushed' as they tried to catch a glimpse of the YouTube star
Adil Musa
Sean Morrison @seanmorrison_30 September 2017

Fans were “crushed” and four men were arrested amid chaotic scenes as hundreds of fans scrambled to catch a glimpse of YouTube star Adam Saleh in east London.

The blogger was due to make an appearance at a Costa Coffee in Ilford but police shut the event down after a “dangerously large crowd” of about 600 people showed up.

Police at the scene tweeted that the coffee chain was closed after people were injured in the mayhem, and the Met later confirmed four men were arrested at the scene.

After the meet-and-greet was cancelled, fanatics then chased the popular vlogger through the streets as he was driven away the café in Cranbrook Road on Saturday.

Mr Saleh, who has more than three million subscribers on his YouTube channel, was removed from the car along with another man before being escorted by police away from the huge crowds.

But three other people who remained in Mr Saleh’s vehicle then continued to drive in the area and provoked fans. They were arrest and taken to an east London police station.

The internet sensation has apologised to fans online, and described how he was bundled into a police car and driven to safety after “about 60” officers attended.

Images from the scene show huge crowds filling the street outside Costa as the shutters on the shop were closed
Adil Musa

He wrote on Twitter: “Firstly, I'd like to say sorry to all those who came and waited patiently. Thank you.

"I promise I wouldn't have done this unless it was organized. But I should've known there's always some who let it down for others.”

Mr Saleh added that the police told him it was “no longer safe for me to show up” at the coffee shop.

Dramatic images from the scene show huge crowds filling the street outside Costa as the shutters on the shop were closed, with some clambering to a vantage point to try and spot the star.

Footage shows a large police presence in the area as officers attempt to disperse those who had gathered at the scene.

In addition to the three arrests made, another man was arrested near to the scene "in order to prevent a breach of peace", police said. He was later de-arrested.

Amid the chaos, Redbridge MPS tweeted: "Fans should avoid the area due to fans being crushed. Public should avoid the area. Costa has now closed."

Inspector Lisa Prior of East Area Command Unit said: "I wish to thank the majority of the crowd who dispersed peacefully despite their disappointment that the event was cancelled.

"There remained genuine safety concerns relating to the movements of the vehicle and the section of the crowd who were running towards it. As a result, officer intervened to ensure the safety of everyone present."

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