Riot police break up G8 protest in London

Riot police in the UK have swooped on a building in London ahead of planned protests against the G8 summit.

More than 100 officers surrounded a reported squat in Beak Street, Soho, London, occupied by anti-G8 protesters.

The move comes as the group StopG8 planned a “Carnival Against Capitalism” in central London before the two-day summit of world leaders in the North next week.

Businesses including hedge funds and banks in central London are understood to have warned staff to take precautions after similar protests in recent years led to violent clashes with police.

Westminster City Council cabinet member for city management Ed Argar said: “Our warden teams will be working with police to manage the streets and we also have clean-up crews on standby.

“Everyone respects the right to legitimate protest and I hope this will be a day without incident.

“However, business people, shop staff and visitors have the right to go about the West End without intimidation or interference and we will do our best to ensure the centre of London runs smoothly.”

On Twitter, local residents and office staff reported strong police presences in the Oxford Circus and Regent Street area of central London and Golden Square, close to Beak Street.

Oh my god!!!! There is fierce fighting in the soho streets right now!!!! Golden square is a war zone and I've just driven right into it!!!!!

— Frazer Lazer (@frazerlazer) June 11, 2013

big g8 protest outside our offices today. people chaining themselves to railings. why they're in the West End and not the City I don't know

— teddymac88 (@Teddymac88) June 11, 2013

The leaders of the world’s eight wealthiest countries, including Russian president Vladimir Putin and German chancellor Angela Merkel, are due to meet at the luxury Lough Erne resort in Co Fermanagh for the two-day conference next week.

US president Barack Obama is to visit parts of Belfast ahead of the summit.

Police protection of landmark sites across Belfast has been tightened in advance of the conference.

The police operation at the building in Beak Street included officers in climbing gear securing the roof.

Television footage showed one protester springing onto the flat roof and promptly being bundled down onto his front by the waiting team.

Police said there was intelligence to suggest paint bombs and shields could be used against horses and officers in Westminster and the City of London.

Powers to stop and search in anticipation of violence and to require the removal of disguises were authorised this morning and remain in force.

Scotland Yard also said that this morning officers had been given a search warrant for a building in Beak Street where it was believed protesters may have weapons.

By this afternoon six arrests had been made for alleged offences including possession of articles with intent to commit criminal damage, assault on police, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon and failing to remove a face covering.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “Peaceful protest is a vital part of a democratic society, providing it is conducted within the law. But protesters’ rights need to be balanced with the rights of others to go about their business without fear of intimidation or serious disruption to the community.

“Rights to peaceful protest do not extend to violent or threatening behaviour and the police have powers to deal with any such acts.”