Demo turns violent in London
Cuts March Clean-Up After Night Of Arrests
Central London businesses are cleaning up and repairing damage after a night of violence that overshadowed a massive anti-government cuts demonstration.
Up to 200 rioters wearing masks and hooded tops attacked banks and hotels in Piccadilly as up to 500,000 people staged a peaceful rally in nearby Hyde Park.
The windows and doors of banks were smashed and paint was daubed in the walls.
Anarchist symbols and anti-Government messages were also scrawled on the pavement.
By early on Sunday graffiti was being jet-washed from the front of the luxury food store Fortnum and Mason, where protestors had broken in and staged a demonstration.
Nearly all of the windows were smashed at the Ritz Hotel and the famous sign at the front was splattered in yellow paint. Staff were helping to clean windows and scrub floors.
Police are now looking through CCTV and pictures taken during the march in an attempt to identify those responsible.
A total of 214 people have been arrested so far and there were 84 reported injuries during the day, including 31 police officers.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers had come under "sustained attack" as they dealt with the disorder and attempted criminal damage.
However, the day's earlier march was hailed a "fantastic success" by trade unions as nurses, teachers, students, firefighters, pensioners and thousands of others walked through the city.
Union officials and Labour leader Ed Miliband condemned the "brutal" cuts in jobs and services.
The demonstration was the biggest since the anti-Iraq war march eight years ago.
But many of those walking were unaware of the violent acts in other parts of London being carried out by a minority of activists.
Commander Bob Broadhurst, who led the police operation, told Sky News: "I wouldn't even call them protesters, they're criminals.
"They've run up and down parts of central London smashing up buildings and then running off as officers try to confront them."
Campaign group UK Uncut claimed around 200 of its supporters forced themselves into luxury store Fortnum and Mason - known as the Queen's grocer.
A spokesman for the demonstrators said the target was chosen because "they dodge tens of millions in tax".
Video and photographic evidence will be used in the coming days to identify anyone else involved in the trouble.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said he "bitterly regretted" the violence, adding that he hoped it would not detract from the protest.
Central London businesses are cleaning up and repairing damage after a night of violence that overshadowed a massive anti-government cuts demonstration.
Up to 200 rioters wearing masks and hooded tops attacked banks and hotels in Piccadilly as up to 500,000 people staged a peaceful rally in nearby Hyde Park.
The windows and doors of banks were smashed and paint was daubed in the walls.
Anarchist symbols and anti-Government messages were also scrawled on the pavement.
By early on Sunday graffiti was being jet-washed from the front of the luxury food store Fortnum and Mason, where protestors had broken in and staged a demonstration.
Nearly all of the windows were smashed at the Ritz Hotel and the famous sign at the front was splattered in yellow paint. Staff were helping to clean windows and scrub floors.
Police are now looking through CCTV and pictures taken during the march in an attempt to identify those responsible.
A total of 214 people have been arrested so far and there were 84 reported injuries during the day, including 31 police officers.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers had come under "sustained attack" as they dealt with the disorder and attempted criminal damage.
However, the day's earlier march was hailed a "fantastic success" by trade unions as nurses, teachers, students, firefighters, pensioners and thousands of others walked through the city.
Union officials and Labour leader Ed Miliband condemned the "brutal" cuts in jobs and services.
The demonstration was the biggest since the anti-Iraq war march eight years ago.
But many of those walking were unaware of the violent acts in other parts of London being carried out by a minority of activists.
Commander Bob Broadhurst, who led the police operation, told Sky News: "I wouldn't even call them protesters, they're criminals.
"They've run up and down parts of central London smashing up buildings and then running off as officers try to confront them."
Campaign group UK Uncut claimed around 200 of its supporters forced themselves into luxury store Fortnum and Mason - known as the Queen's grocer.
A spokesman for the demonstrators said the target was chosen because "they dodge tens of millions in tax".
Video and photographic evidence will be used in the coming days to identify anyone else involved in the trouble.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said he "bitterly regretted" the violence, adding that he hoped it would not detract from the protest.
Source:Sky News
Have you ever been on a march or at a demonstration?
Watch the video to listen to some of the demonstrators.
Comments
I went to the Madrid bombings march. I kind of regret going because instead of being a silent show of unity and compassion for the victims; there was a lot of political hostility. I don't think it was the appropriate occasion.
I was AT the demonstration AGAINST THE WAR IN IRAQ and AFTER THAT ON the march against the terrorist attacks in March 2004. I USUALLY TRY to avoid demonstrations like this. I don't like VIOLENCE.
You are a star. Even after an exhausting exercise, you still have the energy to leave another comment.
As you can see in the video at MOST DEMONSTRATIONS....
At a recent student demonstration, like at this one, there was a lot of vandalism. One youngster almost killed a policeman by throwing a fire extinguisher from the top of a tall building. People use it as an opportunity to cause destruction and attack authority.
I doubt that many know or care what the demonstration is actually about.