Anti-cuts march: more than 200 in custody after violence

Clean-up begins after 84 injured including at least 31 police as minority of anarchists attacked symbols of wealth in London
A police officer outside the Ritz hotel
A police officer outside the Ritz hotel after it was attacked. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA

More than 200 people are in police custody after trouble flared in central London following a peaceful march and TUC rally against the government's spending cuts.

Eighty-four people, including at least 31 police officers, were reported to have been injured in the violence as a minority of anarchists attacked symbols of wealth in Piccadilly, Oxford Street and Regent Street.

There was also trouble in Trafalgar Square where missiles including water bottles and coins were thrown. Police said officers had also been attacked with lightbulbs filled with ammonia. Attempts were made to damage the Olympic clock in the square.

A clean-up began as owners of properties including banks, the Ritz hotel and the upmarket food store Fortnum and Mason counted the cost of smashed windows, paint splatter and damaged cashpoints.

A total of 201 people are being held in 21 police stations across the capital for a variety of alleged offences including public order offences, criminal damage, aggravated trespass and violent disorder.

Commander Bob Broadhurst, who led the police operation, said: "I wouldn't call them protesters. They are engaging in criminal activities for their own ends. We anticipated there would be some problems. We have minimised the damage caused. We'll never have enough officers to protect every building in central London. It cannot be done."

He said video evidence would be used in an attempt to make more arrests in the coming days.

Eleven police officers required hospital treatment. Injuries were said to be relatively minor, including cuts and bruises, suspected whiplash and a possible broken collar bone.

The TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, said he "bitterly regretted" the violence but hoped it would not detract from the anti-cuts protest. "I don't think the activities of a few hundred people should take the focus away from the hundreds of thousands of people who have sent a powerful message to the government," he said.

Ministers should reconsider their whole strategy, Barber added: "This has been middle Britain speaking."