Police said on Thursday they made 86 arrests during the lengthy violent protests that besieged central London’s financial district ahead of the G20 summit.Thousands of people demonstrated on the streets of London on Wednesday in angry demonstrations that descended into violent battles with riot police and saw one man collapse and die.Protesters were set to take to the streets again on Thursday, this time close to the ExCeL exhibition centre in east London’s Docklands, where the summit is taking place.
Some protesters smashed their way into the offices of the state-owned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) next to the Bank of England on Wednesday, breaking through windows, hurling out office equipment and trying to set it ablaze.
The 86 arrests were for a range of offences, including violent disorder, aggravated burglary, arson, bomb threats and possession of ammunition.
Four people have been charged with offences so far, three with possessing a bladed weapon and one with assault.Police said that about 4,000 protesters had converged on the City of London financial district.Riot police penned in the protesters and let them out one by one. Some were still being dispersed early Thursday, more than 12 hours after the demonstration began.Expecting demonstrations and disorder, police launched a massive security operation to keep protesters at bay.
Up to 4,700 police officers, including public order teams, intelligence gatherers and diplomatic security specialists were to be on duty Thursday in the British capital.The London Stock Exchange opened without incident, despite threats from protesters. Police officers circled the entrance to the building.
{{/usCountry}}Up to 4,700 police officers, including public order teams, intelligence gatherers and diplomatic security specialists were to be on duty Thursday in the British capital.The London Stock Exchange opened without incident, despite threats from protesters. Police officers circled the entrance to the building.
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