A campaign group calling themselves the ‘Pink Ladies’ has hit out at the Metropolitan Police over what they claim was a ‘heavy-handed’ response to an anti-migrant hotel protest in Canary Wharf, which ended four arrests.
Violence broke out on Sunday afternoon when a crowd of around 50 to 100 masked demonstrators descended on the Britannia International Hotel – currently used to house asylum seekers – before tensions escalated inside a nearby shopping centre.
Footage shared on social media shows balaclava-clad men clashing with police, who had earlier issued a Section 60AA order to prevent protesters from concealing their identities.
Officers can be seen forming a barrier and shouting ‘move back’ as they try to contain the unrest.
In the midst of the disorder, a police officer is seen deploying synthetic pepper spray (PAVA) into the crowd.
One image shows a woman reeling in agony, while another captures a screaming child – later identified as a 12-year-old boy – being carried away for treatment as a masked man tries to soothe his burning eyes with water-soaked tissue.
The Met confirmed that one officer was ‘punched in the face’ during the unrest, while others were pushed and verbally abused.
Four arrests were made for offences including assault on a member of the public, possession of class A and B drugs, assault on police, and failure to disperse.
One woman reeling away in agony after being caught by the pepper spray
The two groups continude to tussle, pushing one another back as officers could be heard yelling, ‘back off,’ and ‘move back’
A crowd of masked protesters have clashed with police at a Canary Wharf shopping centre today with a police officer being ‘punched in the face’.
But the Pink Ladies, a group involved in the protest, have strongly disputed the police account, claiming the officer injured herself while mishandling the pepper spray and was in fact helped by protesters.
Lorraine Cavanagh, the group’s chief organiser, said: ‘Unfortunately, during the demonstration, the policing approach was heavy-handed.’
‘We wish to clarify reports circulating in the media that a police officer was ‘punched in the face.’ This is not what happened. In reality, a young policewoman deployed her pepper spray incorrectly and accidentally injured herself in the process.
‘Far from being attacked, she was supported by our members, who immediately offered assistance by providing baby wipes and water to help relieve her discomfort.’
Ms Cavanagh said the use of pepper spray caused real harm, affecting a 12-year-old child, a 70-year-old Pink Ladies group leader, and a journalist covering the event.
‘These incidents highlight the serious risks caused by reckless crowd-control tactics that indiscriminately affect children, elderly people, and members of the press,’ she added.
‘Our purpose was, and always will be, to stand up for justice in a non-violent, compassionate, and respectful way.’
‘Peaceful protest is a democratic right, and we will continue to exercise it responsibly and with compassion even when faced with provocation.’
Commander Adam Slonecki, of the Metropolitan Police, defended the force’s actions, saying they acted quickly to contain disorder and protect the public.
A child was caught with pepper spray as police apprehended a protester who was witnessed committing an assault on a member of the public by officers
Masked protesters clash with police as they make their way through the shopping centre in the Isle of Dogs
Lorraine (pictured) a member of the Pink Ladies group, who are protesting for the Britannia Hotel received the brunt of the pepper spray
A child is carried away after being caught in pepper spray as anti migrant protestors clashed with police in Canary Wharf
Far-right protesters clashed with members of the public and police officers inside Canary Wharf shopping centre
‘This afternoon we have unfortunately seen more disorder, following the five arrests made yesterday in the West Drayton area,’ he said.
‘We had plenty of officers on the ground who moved in swiftly to deal with the criminality that occurred inside and outside the shopping centre. We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.
‘Today’s protest saw many community members attend, including women and children, and we worked to ensure the safety of those there to peacefully represent their views.
‘Those who arrive at protests masked and intent on causing trouble will continue to be dealt with robustly at future protests.’
The latest demonstration comes amid a wave of protests over the use of hotels to house asylum seekers, following the Court of Appeal’s decision to set aside an injunction that would have forced the relocation of 138 migrants from the Bell Hotel in Epping.
The hotel has become a flashpoint in the national debate on immigration and asylum, particularly after an asylum seeker staying there was charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, has denied the charges.
