Demonstrators hanged an effigy of the Deputy Prime Minister
Police were forced to "kettle" hundreds of protesters for more than six hours near the Houses of Parliament as tensions ran high. The last demonstrators were released late at night.
Westminster bore the brunt of the trouble with two police officers and 15 people injured, and 32 arrests in total.
Westminster bore the brunt of the trouble with two police officers and 15 people injured, and 32 arrests in total.
A stranded Metropolitan Policevan was ransacked and looted a short distance from the entrance to Downing Street, with buses and bus shelters also vandalised, windows broken and graffiti sprayed.
The tactic was widely criticised after around 5,000 people were penned in outside the Bank of England during the G20 protests last year.
A day of co-ordinated action across Britain came after the Millbank riot two weeks ago in London, when police were caught off guard by an attack on the complex of buildings housing the Tory party headquarters.
It saw senior officers deploy hundreds of extra officers reserves in the capital yesterday.
Protesters had planned to demonstrate outside the Liberal Democrat Westminster headquarters, after leaders said they will break a pledge to abolish tuition fees.
Broken glass, discarded placards and piles of litter covered Parliament Street as many of the student protesters refused to go home.
Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy said the damage caused to London's transport network was "outrageous".
"Buses have been deliberately vandalised, bus shelters damaged and many road users and bus passengers have faced delays and disruptions to their routes when
travelling around the city this evening.
Police defended their use of containment tactics during the capital's student protests, saying it was necessary to control the crowd after some demonstrators became violent towards officers.
The tactic was widely criticised after around 5,000 people were penned in outside the Bank of England during the G20 protests last year.
A day of co-ordinated action across Britain came after the Millbank riot two weeks ago in London, when police were caught off guard by an attack on the complex of buildings housing the Tory party headquarters.
It saw senior officers deploy hundreds of extra officers reserves in the capital yesterday.
Protesters had planned to demonstrate outside the Liberal Democrat Westminster headquarters, after leaders said they will break a pledge to abolish tuition fees.
Broken glass, discarded placards and piles of litter covered Parliament Street as many of the student protesters refused to go home.
Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy said the damage caused to London's transport network was "outrageous".
"Buses have been deliberately vandalised, bus shelters damaged and many road users and bus passengers have faced delays and disruptions to their routes when
travelling around the city this evening.
Police defended their use of containment tactics during the capital's student protests, saying it was necessary to control the crowd after some demonstrators became violent towards officers.
Chief Inspector Jane Connors of the Metropolitan Police said "kettling" was used "as a last resort".
"It's a valid tactic," she said. "Police officers came under attack and we needed to make sure the violence didn't spread out across the London streets.
"In these circumstances containment was necessary to ensure that the protest was peacefully managed."
But Sophie Battams, 17, from Dagenham, Essex, said: "The kettling is causing the violence.
"If you put a lot of angry people in one area, it will escalate to this."
And Rachel Tijani, 18, also from Dagenham, added: "It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. If they coop people up like caged animals, they'll act like caged animals."
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http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Police-Under-Fire-For-Kettling-Of-Student-Protesters-In-London-On-November-24/Article/201011415828806?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_1&lid=ARTICLE_15828806_Police_Under_Fire_For_Kettling_Of_Student_Protesters_In_London_On_November_24
"It's a valid tactic," she said. "Police officers came under attack and we needed to make sure the violence didn't spread out across the London streets.
"In these circumstances containment was necessary to ensure that the protest was peacefully managed."
But Sophie Battams, 17, from Dagenham, Essex, said: "The kettling is causing the violence.
"If you put a lot of angry people in one area, it will escalate to this."
And Rachel Tijani, 18, also from Dagenham, added: "It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. If they coop people up like caged animals, they'll act like caged animals."
Read More
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Police-Under-Fire-For-Kettling-Of-Student-Protesters-In-London-On-November-24/Article/201011415828806?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_1&lid=ARTICLE_15828806_Police_Under_Fire_For_Kettling_Of_Student_Protesters_In_London_On_November_24
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