A 16-year-old girl has been found guilty of violent disorder after attacking two policemen over a row about litter.

The girl started a mini riot in Croydon Town Centre when she became violent with the two police officers after they asked her friend to pick up a dropped burger wrapper.

A judge at Croydon Crown Court refused to allow the teenager, who was 15 at the time of the incident, to be named.

PC Perry Lathwood and PC Anthony Smith told the jury they were attacked by members of the crowd that gathered as they tried to arrest the girl at about 3pm in July 16 last year.

The jury were told the crowd numbered up to 100 people.

Two men in the crowd Harold Hill, 38, and Wayne Elliston, 34, were also accused of being involved in the mini riot, but they were acquitted by the judge during the course of the trial.

The court heard they got involved because they were not happy with the way the policemen were treating the teenagers.

The girl had been sitting on a bench outside the fast food outlet when her friend, who was sitting on her lap, dropped a burger wrapper.

When PC Lathwood and PC Smith asked the litter bug to pick it up, the accused became agressive.

As PC Smith tried to take her friend aside she lashed out at PC Lathwood, punching him and biting him on the shoulder when he tried to arrest her.

PC Smith told the court he tried to help his colleague but was pulled to the ground by members of the crowd who were jumping on his back.

He lost his radio and hat in the struggle.

PC Lathwood called for backup and eventually managed to subdue the girl by spraying CS gas at her.

She was arrested after being hit by a baton across the back of her legs.

She will be sentenced at Croydon Crown Court in due course.

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