FOUR protesters have been arrested after a police officer was punched in the face during a march through a busy shopping centre.
Masked demonstrators became “aggressive” as a peaceful protest took place on the Isle of Dogs, central London, this afternoon.
Story Picture AgencyMasked protesters became aggressive towards cops in the shopping centre[/caption]
Story Picture AgencyThe Met confirmed an officer had been punched during the unrest[/caption]
Story Picture AgencyFour people have been arrested following the march[/caption]
Story Picture AgencyFollowing the unrest, cops ordered crowds to remove their masks under Section 60 AA[/caption]
George Cracknell WrightAn officer dabs her eyes after being caught with pepper spray[/caption]
Police had been escorting up to 100 peaceful protesters as they marched towards the Canary Wharf shopping centre at 4.30pm.
Shocking footage on social media showed cops using pepper spray during the angry confrontation.
Food stalls in the middle of the Canada Square mall provided water and tissues to officers and protesters who were caught by the spray.
While in the building, a small group started becoming hostile towards officers and members of the public.
Following the unrest, cops ordered crowds to remove their masks under Section 60 AA and called in reinforcements.
A Section 35 dispersal order was also put in place along with enforced cordons, forcing demonstrators to leave the area.
The Met confirmed arrests had been made for common assault, possession of drugs and assault on police.
In a statement, the force said: “We have been facilitating peaceful anti-asylum protest on the Isle of Dogs this afternoon.
“Protesters, including some masked, moved into the Canary Wharf shopping centre where a small group became aggressive towards cops.
“We are aware there are young children in the protest area.
“While we deal with any criminality our officers are ensuring the safety of them is paramount.
“One of our officers was punched in the face – luckily they have not suffered significant injury.”
“We are aware protesters and members of the public, including a child, may have been temporarily affected by the use of pepper spray given the density of crowds in the area.”
Commander Adam Slonecki, in charge of policing London this weekend, slammed the chaotic scenes.
He said “This afternoon we have unfortunately seen more disorder, following the five arrests made yesterday in the West Drayton area.
“We had plenty of officers present who moved in swiftly to deal with the criminality that occurred inside and outside the shopping centre.
“Today’s protest saw many community members attend, including women and children.
“We worked to ensure the safety of those there to peacefully represent their views.
“Those who arrive at protests masked and intent on causing trouble will continue to be dealt with robustly at future protests.
“We remain in the area to deter any further disorder and provide reassurance to local residents and businesses.”
Yesterday, five people were arrested after demonstrators tried to force their way into a migrant hotel in West Drayton, west London.
The Met said a group of masked men attempted to force their way into the Crowne Plaza hotel following peaceful protests.
Nationwide protests were sparked after the landmark ruling to boot migrants out of the Bell Hotel in Essex was overturned.
Epping Forest District Council last week won a bid at the High Court to block migrants from being housed at the hotel.
The temporary injunction meant that the building has to be cleared of its occupants by September 12.
But on Friday, the Court of Appeal overturned the injunction following an appeal by the Home Office and hotel owners Somani.
Story Picture AgencyA dispersal order was issued as more officers were called in to assist[/caption]
LNPA man with a St George’s flag stands outside The Bell Hotel in Epping[/caption]
The latest ruling means the migrants can stay where they are for the time being.
And demonstrations have since continued to spread, with 19 councils vowing to take legal action to boot asylum seekers out of hotels.
The hotel in Essex, has been at the centre of protests after two of its guests were charged with sexual offences.
Angie Claire, 56, who has five grandchildren aged under seven, was protesting outside the building on Friday night.
She told the Sun: “I think it’s absolutely disgusting for the safety of the children in the area.
“I’ve got nothing against immigrants but when they’re causing trouble and problems with our children, they need to be moved on.
“I think they should go home. Why should our government be funding all of this? I think it’s disgusting.
“My children grew up here and they were safe. We never had a worry in the world.
“Now there’s a fear of our children even walking out the front doors so I think it’s best they go.”
Protesters demonstrated outside the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk, Scotland, yesterday
Shutterstock EditorialAnd crowds of demonstrators with English flags gathered outside the Crowne Plaza hotel in West Drayton, west London[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
