G8 protesters and riot police clash in Soho

Today was meant to see a Carnival Against Capitalism. Ahead of the G8 conference in Loch Erne next week, the Stop G8 group had identified a number of targets in London’s West End, including hedge funds, arms manufacturers and oil firms. But the day’s events focused on Beak Street in Soho, where as many as 200 squatters are reported to have settled in a former police station.

From 10 am, over 100 police officers were stationed outside the site. They had a search warrant and said they had received word that there were weapons inside the building. After 1.30pm, police started trying to enter using crowbars and chainsaws, and then stormed the building.

Over the course of the day there were small demonstrations in Oxford Street and Regent Street, and scuffles between protesters and police in Soho’s Golden Square. There have been repeated reports of a police helicopter flying over Soho.

By the evening, over 30 people had been arrested, on charges including alleged possession of an offensive weapon, assault on a police officer, failure to remove a face covering and criminal damage.

Police have speculated that protesters plan further action for later in the week.