I'm from that area, Islington to be precise but if I crossed my road I'd then be in Hackney.
I moved out more than 30 years ago but travelled back & stayed there regularly, til my dad passed 9 years ago๐, & my strongest memories of the last few visits were regularly hearing gunshots, sirens & low flying police helicopters EVERY NIGHT.
The days seemed almost normal though, which was kinda weird, but I get why police response borders on excessive in many areas, & as you've pointed out, this is just one sides pushed narrative by an extremely biased group.
I wonder had a member of the public put in a call regarding "juveniles on bikes carrying guns", kinda call that guarantees an armed response.
The cynical side of me might even question was the whole thing staged to illicit a police response, that could then be heavily critsized ?.