Met: Response ‘proportionate and appropriate’

The Metropolitan police releases a statement on its response to the student protests which turned violent yesterday:

“During the planning stage and throughout, we have been working closely with the NUS and their event planning company. We have developed our response plan on the basis of that information, and that was to respond to a peaceful protest.

“Sadly on the day a small minority of protestors have taken it upon themselves to cause damage to property, whilst the vast majority have peacefully made their point. Additional officers have arrived at Millbank Tower to deal with the situation.

“Our response will continue to be proportionate and appropriate to the situation. Eight people have been taken to various London hospitals suffering minor injuries. This number includes both protestors and police officers; no further details available.”