Oh no, not again! ‘Environmental destruction’ warning over Canalival 2014

Revellers on the Regent’s Canal. Photograph: Gabriel Gauffre.

The Metropolitan Police and an environmental charity are warning revellers not to come to a canal-based floating party, which “created environmental destruction” on a Hackney canal last year.

Rumours have spread on social media that Canalival is set to return after excrement and litter ruined Regent’s Canal and its surrounding areas in 2013.

A spokesperson for the Canal and River Trust said: “We would like to make it clear that no application has been made to hold an event, either to Hackney Council or to us.

“Any such event would therefore be unauthorised and render organisers liable for public liability.”

Scenes of people urinating on homes while drugs including cocaine were freely passed around as birds’ nests were trashed have left the local community angry about a potential recurrence of the chaos.

Local resident Geraldine McNamara took to Twitter to say: “Not again! I live along the canal and I am horrified. We cleaned up last year – it was disgusting and so upsetting. No respect for people, animals or place.”

However, fears have risen that party goers may flout warnings, especially since the event, in the stretch of canal from Gainsborough Studios to Broadway Market, was officially cancelled last year but still went ahead.

The Canal and River Trust added: “We’ll be installing fencing along this stretch of canal and working closely with Hackney Council and the Metropolitan Police to make sure this event doesn’t go ahead.

“Action will be taken against those who attend.”