Tommy Robinson: Four arrested for assaulting police officer during London protests
Total of 24 people detained during demonstrations following EDL founder’s return to prison
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Three men and a woman have been arrested for attacking a police officer at the Tommy Robinson protests in central London.
They were among a total of 24 detained for various criminal offences including drunk and disorderly behaviour during the rallies near Oxford Circus on Saturday afternoon.
The main demonstration saw hundreds of people call for the release of the EDL founder, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, after he was jailed for contempt of court.
A separate counter-demonstration was held by anti-racist and anti-fascist activists in a nearby area of Regent Street.
One video, which appeared to be taken during the “Free Tommy” rally, showed supporters targeting a police medic wearing a cap and holding a baton.
The officer was dragged away from a police van and punched repeatedly over the head as he fell to the ground.
Police then moved in to push back the protesters and move the medic back towards the van. The medic was taken to hospital for treatment but did not suffer serious injury.
Robinson’s supporters were heard shouting “Whose streets, our streets” during the footage, which also showed one man confronting police while wearing a Union Jack face mask.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a total of 24 arrests were made but were not able to say which arrests related to the Tommy Robinson protest and which involved the counter-demonstration.
Three men and one woman were arrested for assaulting a police officer and two men were arrested for affray.
Thirteen men and one woman were arrested for breaching the conditions imposed on the rally, which restricted the protesters to an area in Langham Place near BBC headquarters.
Two were arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, two for affray, one for possession of class A drugs and one for possession of an offensive weapon.
“They were all taken into custody at police stations across London,” said a spokesman for the force.
Campaigners from Stand Up to Racism claimed that the Robinson protest of around 400 people was outnumbered by approximately 800 counter-demonstrators.
Dozens of police officers lined the route of the marches in an attempt to prevent clashes between the two rival groups.