More than 200 people are in custody after trouble flared following a
rally where hundreds of thousands protested against the Government’s
public spending cuts.
A clean up operation was under way after
activists clashed with riot police in Trafalgar Square in the wake of
the TUC rally in Hyde Park which had earlier passed off peacefully.
Between
200 and 300 people gathered at the landmark location late into the
night, with some throwing missiles and attempting to damage the Olympic
clock within the square.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said
officers had “come under sustained attack” as they tried to deal with
the disorder and attempted criminal damage, with officers using
‘containment’ tactics in a bid to manage those congregating. The area
was eventually cleared by around 2.45am.
Approximately 214 arrests
were made for a variety of offences including: public order offences,
criminal damage, aggravated trespass and violent disorder, with people
in custody at various London police stations, a force spokesman said.
There
were 84 reported injuries during the protests, including at least 31
police, with 11 officers requiring hospital treatment. The injuries were
described as “relatively minor”, including cuts and bruises, suspected
whiplash and a possible broken collar bone.
The earlier peaceful… >>>
