G8 Summit: Riot police out in force in London

Hundreds of riot police were deployed throughout central London yesterday as protests took place against next week’s G8 summit.
Riot police detain a man on a central London rooftop. Picture: GettyRiot police detain a man on a central London rooftop. Picture: Getty
Riot police detain a man on a central London rooftop. Picture: Getty

A building was occupied by demonstrators in Soho and there was a stand-off between protesters and police in Piccadilly as officers blocked access to Fortnum & Mason.

The historic shop was targeted in 2011 during protests against government cuts.

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Metropolitan Police teams were out in force in an attempt to keep yesterday’s action under control and dramatically forced their way into the occupied building, a former police site, on Beak Street at lunchtime.

Television footage showed officers in climbing gear trying to secure the roof, bundling a protester who sprang on to the rooftop on to his front.

Around two dozen protesters gathered outside the BP headquarters in St James’s Square amid a heavy police presence.

Police said there was intelligence to suggest that paint bombs and shields could be used against horses and officers in Westminster and the City of London.

Powers to stop and search in anticipation of violence and to require the removal of disguises were authorised. Scotland Yard also said that officers were given a search warrant for a building in Beak Street where it was believed protesters might have weapons.

The force confirmed that no group tried to liaise with them about the demonstrations yesterday.

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