Jaw-dropping footage has emerged of a gang of motorbikers and quadbike riders shutting down a major road into London – but police say it is not connected to widespread riots planned up and down the country.

The video, taken yesterday evening (August 6), shows more than 20 vehicles wreaking havoc in front of stationary cars on the A406, near South Woodford, north-east London.

Smoke could be seen billowing from the major four-lane road, as the riders wheelied and sped around.

Such was the scale of the carnage, onlookers could be seen gathering on the bridge above, filming what was going on. The Met Police say that the incident was not related to the spate of riots plaguing the UK.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “We are aware of a video showing a large number of motorcyclists acting in a dangerous disorderly way on the A406.

“Police were called at 7.51pm on Tuesday, 6 August to reports of disruption on the highway on Woodford Green High Road, E18

“Officers attended but the group had already left the area. No one was injured and there was no damage done to the public roads. Enquiries into the incident are on-going.

“Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD7187/6AUG. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”