Staff ‘piled in’ to tackle knifemen who targeted diners at south west London restaurant

Staff at an upmarket southwest London restaurant ‘piled in’ to save diners from knife-wielding attackers, witnesses said today. Three men walked calmly into Tashas, in Nine Elms, before targeting a man and woman enjoying a meal on Monday evening. Diners took cover while staff challenged the trio and forced them out of the restaurant despite the raiders brandishing a knife. They were arrested soon after.

A staff member told Metro: ‘Three guys came in the restaurant, very casual, very normal. Then one pulled a knife on a couple who were just having a quiet dinner. ‘Quick as a flash some of the staff responded and piled in to quell the situation. Some big guys got involved and forced them out. ‘There was some pushing and shoving then security from the development got involved and the three ran off. Their faces weren’t covered or anything it was very brazen.

‘It looked like they had targeted the man and woman. The way the staff reacted was heroic it was something else, especially when you consider a knife was involved.’. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘Police were called to reports of a fight between four individuals at a venue in Battersea Power Station at around 8.30pm on Monday, February 3. ‘After the suspects fled the scene by car, officers were able to stop the vehicle a short distance away. There were no reported injuries.

‘Two men aged 27, and one man aged 28, were arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and affray. They remain in custody. Enquiries continue.’. A worker at a nearby restaurant was passing when the knife drama unfolded. They told Metro: ‘The guys looked like they knew who they were looking for. I saw them go in – it looked planned, like gang stuff. To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro's London news hub.

‘I live in the area not far from here and it’s a different world. A lot of gang violence. They usually steer clear of here though because it’s so public and lots of security because it’s so expensive what with luxury watch shops and things like that.’. Tashas is next to Wagamama’s on Prospect Way, in the bustling luxury Battersea Power Station development. The South African-owned chain of 21 restaurants is renowned for its brunch menu. The development has dozens of CCTV cameras including two directly outside the restaurant. There are also cameras inside the eatery.

Home to the US Embassy after a major regeneration in recent years, a penthouse in the development costs at least £7m, while a one bedroom flat is upwards of £800,000. But it sits on the fringes of an area where traditionally south London gangs have operated with long running feuds. The Nine Elms-based Wano/TOG/17 gang is arch enemies with the Hillside alliance, who are based Tulse Hill Streatham Hill and Brixton Hill.

A security guard on patrol near Tashas told Metro: ‘There are problems with gangs round and about but not usually here because there is tight security and loads of cameras. ‘It’s a shock and a big risk for them to target someone here.’. A spokesman for Tashas Group said: ‘Four unidentified individuals entered the restaurant and confronted a table of guests causing a commotion. There were no weapons, except a pocketknife, contrary to what has been reported in the media.

‘Our team responded swiftly and decisively, immediately alerting the police who later apprehended the suspects by identifying their car registration on the CCTV footage from the restaurant. ‘We remain committed to providing a welcoming and safe space for our guests and staff and will continue to work proactively to uphold these standards.’. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘Police were called to reports of a fight between four individuals at a venue in Battersea Power Station at around 20:30hrs on Monday, 3 February.

‘After the suspects fled the scene by car, officers were able to stop the vehicle a short distance away. ‘There were no reported injuries. ‘Two men aged 27 and one man aged 28 were arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and affray. They remain in custody. ‘Enquiries continue.’. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page.

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