A police officer was punched in the face and four people were arrested during an anti-immigration protest in London on Sunday, the Metropolitan Police said.
The force said it had been facilitating a peaceful demonstration on the Isle of Dogs before “a small number of masked protesters then became aggressive towards members of the public and police”. The group reportedly moved into Canary Wharf shopping centre at about 4.30pm.
A section 60AA order was issued to prevent people concealing their identity with masks, along with a section 35 dispersal order directing protesters to leave. Both orders last until midnight. Arrests were made for common assault, possession of drugs, assault on police, public order offences and failure to disperse.
Commander Adam Slonecki said: “This afternoon we have unfortunately seen more disorder, following the five arrests made yesterday in the West Drayton area. Those who arrive at protests masked and intent on causing trouble will continue to be dealt with robustly.”
Elsewhere on Sunday, three people were arrested after hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Bell hotel in Epping, calling for the removal of asylum seekers housed there. Essex police said a woman was arrested for breaching a section 14 order, a man for inciting racial hatred after an emblem was set alight on Friday, and another for failing to disperse.
