Investigation after police caught out by student protest violence

12 April 2012

An urgent investigation was under way today into how police were caught out when violent protesters turned a demonstration against higher tuition fees into an ugly battle.

Fourteen people were injured, including seven police officers, when dozens of activists stormed the tower block housing the Tory party headquarters in Millbank, Westminster.

Tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused as protesters smashed windows, damaged furniture and daubed walls with graffiti, sparking a four-hour stand-off.

Thirty-five people were arrested for offences including criminal damage and aggravated trespass and many more were photographed and identified as police prepared to scour footage for evidence of crimes.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said the unexpected clashes were an "embarrassment to London and to us" and pledged to examine what went wrong.

London mayor Boris Johnson said he was appalled that a small minority "shamefully abused" their right to protest and warned that those involved with "face the full force of the law".

He said: "The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has assured me that there will be a vigorous post-incident investigation. He will also be reviewing police planning and response."

National Union of Students president Aaron Porter described the violence as "despicable" and said a minority of protesters who planned to cause trouble had "hijacked" the march.

The violence was sparked as a peaceful march involving thousands of students mobilised from across Britain by looming fee rises passed the landmark building on the River Thames.

A small group of police and security staff were forced to retreat as a mass of people surged forward, led by a smaller group, many of whom were masked, who stormed the building and smashed windows.

An angry stand-off ensued as a handful of police officers attempted to stop more people entering the building as up to 50 protesters ran amok inside, smashing windows and hurling missiles from the seventh-floor rooftop.

One man was seen armed with a hammer while others brandished metal poles and wooden sticks used to hold placards, as others started fires and lit fireworks in the forecourt to the sound of drums and dance music.

The inquiry is likely to focus on police preparation for the march, including the decision to categorise it as low risk and to draft in only around 225 officers to marshal more than 50,000 people.

The tactics of public order commanders once violence erupted will also come under the spotlight after officers were ordered not to intervene as protesters attacked the building.

Representatives of the police rank-and-file will want to know if senior officers did all they could to reduce the danger faced by those left to try to hold the embattled front line.

Workers in 30 Millbank, which includes government agencies and private businesses, including firms of architects, travel agents and engineers, will also demand answers after many were forced to evacuate.

Sir Paul apologised to those left inside 30 Millbank for their "traumatic experience" and said police were caught out as there was "no real history" of that level of violence during student protests.

He added: "I think we've also got to ask ourselves some questions. This level of violence was largely unexpected and what lessons can we learn for the future. We are already doing that and asking those questions.

"Certainly I am determined to have a thorough investigation into this matter."

Students and staff were protesting against government plans to charge students up to £9,000 per year from 2012 - triple the current £3,290 fee.

Union leaders say the increase, along with swingeing cuts to university budgets, will mean the end of affordable higher education.

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