50 People Arrested During Protest March In London

Police arrested 50 people last night following an anti-capitalist protest in London.

48 suspects remain in custody while one person has been charged with assaulting a police officer and another received a caution.

Large crowds gathered to take part in the Million Mask March on 05 November.

However, clashes broke out between protestors and police at St Martin's Pace, Trafalgar Square and Parliament Street, Whitehall.

Fireworks and missiles were thrown at officers by marchers, with one police vehicle set on fire.

Earlier, Met Police arrested three men - aged 38, 50 and 55 -on suspicion of possessing offensive weapons.

Knives, smoke/paint grenades, gas canisters and lock picks were recovered by officers.

Six police horses received injuries, along with three police officers

Another officer, who was riding a police horse, suffered a fractured wrist.

In a statement, Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "This has been a really busy week, even by the standards of the Met, and my officers have worked very hard in the face of some incredibly challenging and even violent circumstances.

"Injured officers, injured horses and 50 arrests are not peaceful protest. The event tied up nearly 2,000 officers - who in the main, came from our boroughs."

Commander BJ Harrington added: "We facilitate hundreds of protests every year in London peacefully and with the co-operation of the organisers. On this occasion a group of protestors chose not to engage with police or adhere to the conditions of the protest and were intent on criminality.

"Officers have been hospitalised, a police horse suffered injuries and a police car was criminally damaged during the course of the protest which is completely unacceptable."

Investigations are continuing.

(LM/CD)