Thatcher protests: 16 arrested in Trafalgar Square demonstrations
Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers arrested 16 people during demonstrations against the late Baroness Thatcher on Saturday night and Sunday morning, as plans to deal with possible protests during the funeral were finalised.
Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers arrested 16 people during demonstrations against the late Baroness Thatcher on Saturday night and Sunday morning, as plans to deal with possible protests during the funeral were finalised.
Half of the arrests were for incidences of drunk and disorderly behaviour, with two arrested for public order offences, two for affray and one each for breach of the peace, obstructing police, assault on police and drunk and disorderly assault on police.
An estimated 3,000 people congregated in Trafalgar Square for the protests against the former Prime Minister, who died on Monday April 8 following a stroke. Parties and protests celebrating the news were reported in Glasgow, Liverpool, Bristol and Brixton that evening, leading to several arrests, with six Avon and Somerset Constabulary officers injured policing an event in Bristol.
The MPS has asked protestors to contact the force over any planned protests to ease the policing operation. With the Queen among a number of former and current heads of state attending the service at St Pauls Cathedral on Wednesday, the funeral presents a significant security situation.
Rehearsals for the funeral took place before dawn today.