Police battle stone-throwing youths in Denmark

Police clashed with rock-throwing youths in the centre of the Danish capital after officers prevented the crowd from reaching a vacant building they have tried to use as a place for parties and concerts.

Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd of several thousand people and detained about 300 of them. No one was injured, said police spokesman Flemming Steen Munch.

The crowd was trying to reach a vacant waterworks owned by the City of Copenhagen. They have sought to occupy and use the building for parties after authorities demolished a nearby theatre known as the Youth House.

The Youth House, a popular hangout for anarchists, punk rockers and left-wing groups, was torn down in March, triggering several days of street violence.

In last night’s violence, protesters started fires and tried to climb over police cars blocking a road, prompting officers to fire tear gas.

Built in 1897, the Youth House was a community theatre for the labour movement and a cultural and conference centre. Vladimir Lenin was among its visitors. In recent years, it had hosted concerts by performers like Australian musician Nick Cave and Icelandic singer Bjork.