Security at The O2 in Greenwich is under review after a man was stabbed at the venue, the first ever violent incident there.

Representatives are meeting with council officials and police to work out what went wrong during the sixth annual Urban Music Awards on Saturday evening.

The event had to be abandoned after 90 minutes due to chaotic scenes which left a 27-year-old man seriously ill in an east London hospital after being stabbed.

About 300 guests were stuck inside the venue until the early hours while police blocked the exits and questioned people one by one before allowing them out.

Eyewitness Andre Nevling, 24, said a woman sitting with him at his table had been "covered" in blood.

"Obviously the guy who got stabbed must have run straight past her. She is pretty shaken up.

"I came out of the auditorium and looked at her. I saw blood all over the floor and then I noticed she was covered in it."

Another man, aged 30, was treated for minor injuries in hospital and was discharged shortly afterwards.

The awards were being held in the indigO2 - a 2,350-capacity venue inside The O2.

Eyewitnesses commented on a lack of security at the event.

Natalie Williams, 32, said: "It's a huge shame that a small group of people have ruined everything for everyone.

"There must have been a few people determined to use this opportunity.

"There was no security, nothing.

"Before anything even happened I commented to my boyfriend, because we live nearby and come here a lot, and we usually get screened coming into the building.

"Tonight there was nothing."

The O2 includes an arena, club, cinema, bars and restaurants built within the former Millennium Dome.

Owner AEG International says there have been no previous incidents thanks to a full-time Met Police team, working alongside its own security team and Greenwich Council.

A spokesman said: “This is the first incident of this nature to have occurred.

“All the usual pre-event risk assessment was carried out between The O2, the Metropolitan Police and Greenwich.

“We have released all images from our extensive CCTV network to the police and will be sitting down with all parties to review the details of the incident in the next 24 hours and any lessons that can be learned.”

The MP for Greenwich and Woolwich Nick Raynsford said: “I think everyone who is familiar with The O2 and concerned about the local community were as shocked as I was at this incident and the violence.

“I’ve been in contact with the borough commander of Greenwich police and there’s no question that steps must be taken so that this doesn’t happen again.”

Detectives from Greenwich CID are investigating the incident.

A 21-year-old man arrested at the scene has been bailed to return in January pending further enquiries.

Were you at The O2 on Saturday night? Did you see what happened? Contact us on 01689 885703 or email us