Met Police officer punched in face as masked anti-asylum protesters storm Canary Wharf shopping centre

"Masked men became aggressive as a group of 50 to 100 of them marched on a nearby shopping centre in east London at around 4.30pm on Sunday afternoon. The Metropolitan Police had issued a Section 60AA order to prevent people concealing their identity with masks after facilitating peaceful protests on the Isle of Dogs. Demonstrators carrying Union flags and placards earlier assembled outside the Britannia International Hotel in Marsh Wall."

"A force spokesman said the youngsters' safety is paramount while we deal with any criminality. Around 100 counter-protesters held banners bearing the words stand up to racism and stop the far right. People protest outside the Britannia International Hotel Ongoing demos over the use of hotels are taking place around the country after the Government won a Court of Appeal challenge against an injunction which would have seen asylum seekers moved out of the Bell Hotel, Epping."

"The Met added on Sunday: Protesters, including some masked, moved into the Canary Wharf shopping centre where a small group became aggressive towards police. Further officers deployed to assist. Four arrests were made including for common assault by a protester on a member of the public, possession of class A and B drugs, assault on police, public order offences and failure to disperse. One of our officers was punched in the face - luckily they have not suffered significant injury."

Masked men numbering between 50 and 100 marched on a nearby shopping centre in east London at around 4.30pm on Sunday and became aggressive as a group. A Section 60AA order was issued to prevent people concealing their identity with masks after earlier facilitating peaceful protests on the Isle of Dogs. Demonstrators carrying Union flags and placards gathered outside the Britannia International Hotel in Marsh Wall, while around 100 counter-protesters held banners reading stand up to racism and stop the far right. Protesters, including some masked, moved into the Canary Wharf shopping centre where a small group clashed with police. Four arrests were made for assault, drugs and public order offences; one officer was punched but suffered no significant injury. The protesters later dispersed.

Read at www.standard.co.uk