New Delhi, Sep 14: At least 26 Police officers were injured and 24 people arrested during a mass rally led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson in central London on Saturday, the Metropolitan Police said.
The "Unite the Kingdom" protest drew an estimated 110,000 people to Whitehall, far exceeding organisers' expectations, while around 5,000 counter-protesters gathered nearby at a Stand Up To Racism demonstration.
What began largely peacefully escalated into violent clashes, with some Robinson supporters throwing bottles and other objects at officers.
Four officers sustained serious injuries, including broken teeth, concussion, a prolapsed disc and a suspected broken nose, repots BBC and international media.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said police had "policed without fear or favour" in difficult circumstances, but condemned the "wholly unacceptable" violence.
"There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence," he added, warning that the arrests were "just the start" as more suspects would be identified, reports BBC.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also denounced the attacks, saying: "Anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law."
The Met deployed more than 1,500 officers, including reinforcements from other forces, to keep the two groups apart. Riot police, horses and dogs were used as scuffles broke out, while people were seen scaling fencing and scaffolding. At one point, a glass bottle struck a police horse, causing it and its rider to stagger. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the rally from a stage in Whitehall, accusing politicians of "parroting" his ideas and criticising a recent court ruling that allowed asylum seekers to be housed in Essex. Tech billionaire Elon Musk made a surprise appearance via videolink, calling for a "dissolution of Parliament and a new vote" over what he described as "massive uncontrolled migration." TV presenter Katie Hopkins, former actor Laurence Fox and TV personality Ant Middleton also joined Robinson at the head of the march, reports BBC.