G8 protests continue in Edinburgh

Police have been forced to deploy public order trained officers in central Edinburgh, as G8 protests continue in the Scottish capital.

Lothian and Borders Police said that the officers were being deployed to contain “sporadic incidents” by several hundred activists, who were “intent on causing major disruption”.

Police said that some of the activists were behaving in a “threatening and confrontational manner” and said that disorderly behaviour was “escalating”. Police said there had also been instances of missiles being thrown and weapons had been recovered. However, there have been no reports of any arrests so far.

The trouble reportedly began around midday during the ‘Carnival for Full Enjoyment’, an event organised by anti-capitalist groups.

It has been reported that a number of demonstrators were hemmed into a side street as police attempted to control the crowds in the west end of the city. There were also reports that protestors attempting to join the march were pushed back by police.

One report claimed that a group of demonstrators had gained access to the Caledonian Exchange building, where offices of financial company Standard Life are located. However, the company denied that this incident took place.

Lothian and Borders Police claimed that the organisers of the event had not informed them or the city council of their plans.

ACC Iain Dickinson condemned the behaviour as “wholly unacceptable and threatening to the people of Edinburgh and the police”. He said: “We have always been prepared to talk to them to help them stage peaceful protest but it is clear that was never on their agenda. They have been determined to challenge the community and the police service for their own selfish agenda to inflict disruption and significant disorder. We will deal robustly with anyone who behaves in this manner and deploy all the officers we have at our disposal to stop them inflicting mayhem on our communities.”

ACC Dickinson also advised businesses in the vicinity of the disturbances to consider closing to protect their premises and the safety of their staff. He said that intensive police resources would also remain in Edinburgh until the situation was resolved.

Another protest is also taking place in Scotland at the Faslane naval base, which houses the Trident nuclear submarine fleet. The protest has been organised by CND and Trident Ploughshares. It has been reported that one man was arrested, after he attempted to scale a fence.

(KMcA/MB)