Norfolk Police intervened to help a social media creator leave Norwich city centre after large groups of young people gathered during a live stream, the force said.
Officers guided the influencer away from a crowd
The creator known online as J2Hundred, who broadcasts on TikTok and Kick, began a live stream in Norwich at about 14:00 BST on Tuesday while on a tour of parts of East Anglia.
According to the creator and a police statement, the live stream drew a substantial crowd in the Orford Hill and Castle Meadow areas. The 24-year-old said the turnout took him by surprise and that "it got a bit hectic", later ending the stream early and cutting short the tour of the region.
Norfolk Police said they received a number of calls reporting that "a large group of young people had gathered" in the Orford Hill and Castle Meadow areas. Officers attended, spoke to some people in the group and found no criminality taking place, the force added.
"Police came in and said there's a lot of people waiting for you and that it might not be safe for you to go out there. So they found a way for me to get out," the creator said.
The influencer described how he entered the Bell Wetherspoon pub in Orford Hill to deal with equipment issues and that officers helped him exit the building through a back entrance to avoid the waiting crowd.
What happened and why it matters locally
Events such as these can place unexpected pressures on public spaces in Norwich's city centre, particularly around areas popular for visitors and nightlife. While no offences were reported in this incident, the presence of large, unplanned crowds raises practical questions for policing, local businesses and the management of public areas.
- Police attended after multiple calls about gatherings in Orford Hill and Castle Meadow.
- The creator said the crowd made the situation "hectic" and he may employ security for future streams.
- Officers found no criminality but facilitated a safe exit from the Wetherspoon pub.
The creator has a substantial online following, which can amplify public interest when they visit towns and cities. He has 2.7 million followers on TikTok and 260,000 YouTube subscribers, according to his public profile. The force and city centre venues must balance facilitating legitimate public presence with ensuring safety for residents, businesses and visitors.
| Detail | Reported information |
|---|---|
| Start of live stream | About 14:00 BST |
| Influencer audiences (public figures) | 2.7m TikTok followers; 260,000 YouTube subscribers |
Norwich's city centre has a mix of retail, hospitality and pedestrian areas where sudden, densely gathered groups can affect trade, footfall and perceptions of safety. Pubs and other venues can find themselves unexpectedly involved when personalities use their premises to address technical problems or to leave a location.
Local policing in Norfolk has to weigh up the immediate safety concerns of large gatherings against the absence of criminal behaviour. In this case, officers chose to speak to those present and then to assist the influencer to leave without confrontation. The approach avoided escalation and ensured the individual could exit the area safely.
For residents and businesses, the episode highlights the growing influence of social media personalities on public spaces and the need for practical arrangements when high-profile visits are anticipated. The creator said he had visited other towns in the region and may arrange additional security when livestreaming in public in future.
Norfolk Police have said they will continue to respond to reports about large gatherings and to work with local partners to manage public order and safety in Norwich.
