Southall was bought to a standstill by Indian cricket fans celebrating India triumph over Sri Lanka in the World Cup final.

After the match there was a police helicopter in the air as well as colourful fireworks. There was the usual dancing and scream of joy the fans.

The celebrations today were bigger in numbers and with far more consequences.

Some Southall Broadway residents who had gone shopping to Hayes were in for a nasty surprise on their return.

The traffic queues started as far back as the Ossie Garwin Roundabout in Hayes. It took motorists one hour to reach the border of Southall, near the newly opened Quality Food store, only to be turned back by a Police blockade of the road.

The other alternative route to Southall Broadway via Western Road was no better. The roads were blocked at various points and stranded motorists were unaware of the precise reasons.

Irrespective of whether you were a resident or non-resident the roads were blocked off. The only update was that more Police enforcements were on their way to control the volatile situation.

The Punjabi Masala restaurant was again providing loud music to attract the fans, which had to be turned off on the instructions of the Police.

Cans of beer in hand were visible as well in carrier bags.

Deliberately walking onto the road, stopping every car (stuck in traffic jams), surrounding it and doing your wild celebrations is not to every ones liking and leads to trouble.

Witnesses saw altercations with motorists, bottles being thrown at the (not open yet) Taste of Lahore (in Pakistan), as well as animosity towards each other.

At least one female Police officer, the wife of another Police Officer manning the road blocks was injured by the hooligans.

Tomorrow morning will see the streets of Southall full of beer cans and bottles, if the Council is slow with the cleanup.

Was it just a local celebration or was it hijacked by outsiders?

It was just a game of cricket!