The march, which saw thousands of students gathering in central London, witnessed angry clashes as protesters – some of whom threw missiles – fought to break through lines form by the Metropolitan Police Service.
“I utterly condemn the increasing levels of violence and disorder that some of the protesters have been involved in,” said the Home Secretary. “What we have seen in London – the wanton vandalism and smashing of windows – has nothing to do with peaceful protest.”
May has of course spoken to Sir Paul Stephenson, the Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner, who updated her on the “appalling levels of violence” witnessed on last night’s main BBC and ITV news bulletins.
“Attacks on police officers and property show that some of the protesters have no respect for London or its citizens,” suggested May.
The Home Secretary went on to state: “The police have had a tough job to do in extremely difficult circumstances. They have put themselves on the line to keep London’s streets and citizens safe. Peaceful protest is acceptable, but violent protest and criminal damage is not.”
Plenty of offences committed
Around 2,800 police officers were deployed to contain yesterday’s demonstrations in the wake of Government plans to increase fees for students attending UK universities to study for a degree. Scotland Yard has said that 12 officers and 43 protesters were injured, with a further 34 people being arrested.
Offences included being drunk and disorderly, criminal damage, arson, violent disorder, assaults on police officers and burglary.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner said there would be a “full and thorough investigation” into both the behaviour of the protesters and any complaints made against his officers.
“While the majority did come to demonstrate peacefully,” commented Sir Paul, “the minority of that majority represented a significant number of people who came prepared for violence and clearly demonstrated that violence on police lines.”
Prior to yesterday’s events, the Metropolitan Police Service had worked closely with the National Union of Students (NUS), the University and College Union (UCU) and the University of London Union (ULU).
In order to balance the needs and requirements of those protesting against tuition fees, and those of other Londoners to go about their everyday business, Sir Paul Stephenson’s officers agreed a route for a protest march from Malet Street WC1 through to Westminster and on to the ‘rallying point’ along the Victoria Embankment.
The NUS, the UCU and the ULU discussed their plans fully with the Met’s Public Order Branch and agreed to rally along Victoria Embankment from 3.00 pm to 4.30 pm and then hold a candlelit vigil in the same location from 4.30 pm through until 5.00 pm.
Planned route for the protest march
The protest march was to be from Malet Street along Kingsway – Aldwych – The Strand – Trafalgar Square – Admiralty Arch – Horse Guards Road – Parliament Square via Great George Street – Whitehall and ending in Victoria Embankment with the other protesters.
On the day, protestors broke down the Greater London Authority’s protective barriers put in place to allow maintenance work in Parliament Square. These were not police barriers. The police duly created a cordon along one side of Parliament Square to ensure the protestors didn’t further deviate from the agreed route.
It was necessary to put in place a containment in Parliament Square due to the level of violence officers were facing. That allowed the young and vulnerable and those not involved in committing offences to leave in small numbers via Whitehall.
Missiles including flares, sticks, snooker balls and paint balls were aimed at the police. The mounted branch were used to provide essential re-enforcement to police officers who were coming under sustained attack.
Protestors set fire to the Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square and one was even seen urinating on the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square which was also daubed with offensive remarks..
“Outrageous” levels of violence
Not surprisingly, the Metropolitan Police Service completely condemned the “outrageous” levels of violence. A statement on its website says: “This has nothing to do with peaceful protest. Students are involved in wanton vandalism including smashing windows in both Oxford Street and Regent Street.”
Innocent Christmas shoppers were caught up in the violence and disruption which went so far that the car in which His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were travelling through the West End was attacked. Thankfully, police officers managed the situation and the Royals were unharmed.
By 8.00 pm last night, police were moving protestors from Parliament Square along Bridge Street and over Westminster Bridge towards the South Bank and Waterloo as part of efforts to enable individuals to leave the contained area.
Sir Paul Stephenson duly paid tribute to his officers. “This evening I have witnessed at first hand the violence and disobedience of a number of protestors determined to undermine the peaceful actions of the majority of students seeking to legitimately express their views outside Parliament.”
“The response from our officers has been one of bravery, professionalism and determination to control an extremely challenging situation and maintain peace and order on the streets of the capital.”
“I pay tribute to them all, especially those officers who have been injured in the course of their duties. I also want to recognise the significant hard work by the command team and others involved in supporting the planning and running of this operation.”
“Thank you all for you efforts. I am proud of each and every one of you.”
