Advertisement
News

Police clash with protesters at Million Mask March

Eight officers were said to be injured at the annual march in central London. Scotland Yard said 12 protesters were arrested.

Police officers clashed with protesters as tensions flared during the Million Mask March on Bonfire Night.

Scotland Yard said 12 officers were injured during the clashes and 12 people were arrested for a variety of offences, adding that none of the injuries sustained by officers were serious.

The Met had earlier in the day warned of groups coming to London to deliberately cause violence and disorder.

Protesters set off fireworks at Parliament Square and burned an effigy of Boris Johnson as hundreds gathered for the demonstrations.

Crowds gathered at Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square for the Million Mask March, which has been held since 2012 to protest against issues including government corruption, homelessness, and inequality.

This year’s protests also attracted anti-vaccine protesters, with chants of “you can stick your poison vaccine up your arse” heard.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Nearly 200 people were arrested at last year’s protests, which were held while the country was under Covid restrictions.

Videos of this year’s clashes showed crowds of protesters being met with a heavy police presence.

https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1456716424496431109

Another video showed an officer being hit on the head by a water bottle. The Met said it had removed fireworks from people in the crowd after rockets had hit people and exploded near others.

By 9pm, the Met confirmed it had issued a section 35 dispersal order for areas of Westminster, including Parliament Square.

In a statement on Twitter, the Metropolitan Police said: “A total of 12 arrests were made while policing tonight’s demonstrations across London. Those arrests were for a variety of offences.

“Eight of our officers were injured. This is unacceptable.”

In an updated statement made on Monday, the Met said 12 officers had been injured, although none seriously. A spokesperson told the Big Issue: “Officers made a total of 12 arrests while policing a number of demonstrations across central London on Friday, 5 November. Arrests were for a variety of offences. During the demonstrations, officers worked hard to minimise disorder and take action against those intent on causing violence.

“Twelve officers were injured during the course of the operation following clashes with crowds who were intent on causing disorder. Thankfully, none of the injuries were serious.

“Officers remained professional despite provocation and worked to prevent groups from dangerously setting off fireworks into the crowd. These fireworks could have resulted in serious injury and endangered passing members of the public. This was averted due to proactive interventions and arrests.

Advertisement

Change a vendor's life this Christmas

This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
Mum-of-three hit with 'revenge eviction' after asking for repairs: 'It felt like the end of the world'
Hazell and her three kids faced homelessness until Shelter stepped in
Renting

Mum-of-three hit with 'revenge eviction' after asking for repairs: 'It felt like the end of the world'

Malala Yousafzai on taking on the Taliban and why 'storytelling is the soul of activism'
Malala Yousafzai
Activism

Malala Yousafzai on taking on the Taliban and why 'storytelling is the soul of activism'

Winter fuel benefit cuts will send pensioners to hospital, DWP warned: 'It's a political choice'
a view from above of an older person with white hair eating out of a pot
Winter fuel payment

Winter fuel benefit cuts will send pensioners to hospital, DWP warned: 'It's a political choice'

Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie: 'It's a tragedy people can't afford their essentials'
Charlotte Ritchie at Trussell food bank
Food banks

Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie: 'It's a tragedy people can't afford their essentials'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue