Student rally over cost of education turns violent

Protesters clashed with police as hundreds of students took to the streets of central London for a rally calling for free education.

Most of the demonstrators were peaceful but a number turned violent as the march passed Government buildings.

The trouble flared when the protest came to a stop outside the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

Dozens of officers from the Metropolitan Police Territorial Support Group moved in and clashed with some demonstrators clad in black and with scarves covering their faces.

Some let off flares and one was thrown towards police.

The protesters burst through the police lines and ran down Victoria Street, cheering and waving flags.

Dozens of police gave chase as the marchers darted through central London traffic.

Several young men were arrested and were taken by officers into waiting police vans as the protest came to a halt near Victoria station.

Scotland Yard said a “small group of protesters” had thrown paint outside the Home Office and “another group attempted to push their way into the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills but were prevented by police”.

The statement added: “During this spell, a small number of smoke bombs and eggs were thrown at police outside BIS.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also threw his support behind the protesters by demanding the abolition of tuition fees in a statement read out at the rally.

At present, full-time UK students from families with annual household incomes of £25,000 or less qualify for maintenance grants of £3,387 a year, with smaller amounts awarded according to income.