Met: Nothing to do with peaceful protest
The Metropolitan police condemns the violence at the student protests yesterday:
“This has nothing to do with peaceful protest, students are involved wanton vandalism including smashing windows in Oxford and Regent Streets. Innocent Christmas shoppers are being caught up in the violence and disruption.
“It has gone so far that a car in which the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were travelling through the West End was attacked. Police managed the situation and they were unharmed.
“Extreme violence currently being directed towards officers is hindering attempts to allow non violent protestors to leave the containment area.
“The Metropolitan Police Service is extremely disappointed with the actions of many protestors who from a very early stage deviated from the agreed route. There were people on this protest who came with no intention other than one of violence and to commit disorder.
“Officers came to work today to facilitate peaceful protest but have come under continued and violent attacks from protestors. Officers have had to face a significant level of violence including fences, missiles and flares being thrown at them.”
