Man stabbed and two injured at Urban Music Awards

Monday, 17th November 2008

Written by Francesca Cookney

Festivities were called off on Saturday night after violence erupted at O2 arena during the Urban Music Awards.

A 27-year old man was stabbed and a further two people were taken to hospital with minor injuries while others were severely shaken up, including a young woman who was left "covered in blood" after accidentally getting mixed up in the scuffle.

Organisers were forced to clear the 2,350-capacity venue and the police cordoned it off, questioning guests before allowing them to leave. Artists Estelle, Adele, Leona Lewis, Dizzee Rascal and Duffy were among those nominated for awards but whether or not they were in attendance at the O2's indigO2 venue is as yet unknown.

Both press and punters have since commented on the lack of security on the night. One reviewer who writes for an online music guide told reporters that people had been wandering in and out of the press area without passes while a woman who lives nearby noticed the difference upon arrival. "Before anything even happened I commented to my boyfriend, because we live nearby and come here a lot, and we usually get screened coming into the building," she said. "Tonight there was nothing."

But O2 staff insist that all the usual measures were in place: "Nothing of this nature has ever taken place in the venue before," said a spokesperson. "We are working closely with the police to understand how this happened. Our thoughts are with the victims of the attack."

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