Protesters set for new bid to storm summit

Hundreds of protesters have gathered in Gothenburg's main plaza determined to make another attempt to storm the EU summit.

Hundreds of protesters have gathered in Gothenburg's main plaza determined to make another attempt to storm the EU summit.

Shopkeepers around Gothenburg's main Gotaplats square in the centre of the city boarded up their buildings and there was similar action at other premises within several blocks of the meeting.

Up to 25,000 activists from dozens of anti-EU, anti-US and anti-globalisation groups have descended on Sweden's picturesque second-largest city, outnumbering police by as many as 25 to one.

Tempers were high among both police and demonstrators after violent clashes yesterday during US President George W. Bush's visit to the summit.

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In yesterday’s clashes police said more than 240 demonstrators were arrested while local media said 15 people, including three police, were taken to hospital.

Sweden has not seen serious riots for almost a decadebut fears after battles at international summits in Seattle and Nice recently were compounded when five Danes were arrested in Gothenburg on Tuesday with an improvised fire bomb launcher.

Danish police had also raided a building in Copenhagenand found materials for making Molotov cocktails and pipe bombs.

Many activists have brought ice hockey body protection to Gothenburg for protection against police batons.