Six arrests after violence at St George's Day event in central London

23 April 2024, 08:55 | Updated: 23 April 2024, 21:09

At least six people have been arrested after violence broke out at a St George's Day event in central London.

The Metropolitan Police earlier released footage showing a group of men - some draped in St George's flags - clashing with officers in Whitehall.

A man was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after "a police horse was targeted on Whitehall", the Met said.

Another man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly.

Four more arrests were made outside a Whitehall pub - one on suspicion of assault and three on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, the force said.

The event drew hundreds of people, including former leader of the English Defence League Tommy Robinson and ex-GB News presenter Laurence Fox.

The Met had warned that those attending the event were expected to include "far-right groups and groups linked to football clubs travelling from elsewhere in the UK".

Shortly after 2pm, the force posted on X: "The event is not due to start for an hour and regrettably officers are already dealing with disorder.

"There is an area allocated for this event in Richmond Terrace. This group went past it and continued up Whitehall.

"When officers formed a cordon and asked the group to turn round, they reacted by violently forcing their way through. Mounted officers intervened with horses to restore the cordon."

The disorder was broken up and the Met said there have been "no further incidents since that altercation".

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The Met had said an order was in force in Lambeth and Westminster giving officers the power to require the removal of face coverings after it said several people were seen to be wearing masks.

It added a Section 60 order was issued allowing police to ramp up stop and searches.

St George's Day is celebrated on 23 April every year, honouring the patron saint of England.

(c) Sky News 2024: Six arrests after violence at St George's Day event in central London