Riot police in Berlin have clashed with hundreds of demonstrators ahead of today’s May Day celebrations.
|
|
Riot police detain a man in Berlin last night
|
Rioters lobbed bottles and rocks and fired flares at police, who claim looting erupted after dark at the end of an open-air rock gig.
Around 5,000 people were on the streets of Kreuzberg when several hundred officers rushed in to tackle anti-globalist protesters among them.
Police say several police officers were injured but there were no injuries to demonstrators.
By midnight, the crowds began dispersing and police said the situation was under control.
Berlin's Kreuzberg district has been the focus of pre-May Day riots before, and protests are expected in London and France later.
Officers pushed back crowds nearby so that a water cannon could douse a rubbish fire after youths refused to let firefighters through.
There were also clashes in Sydney, Australia when police prevented about 500 protestors from approaching a detention centre for asylum-seekers.
Police in Britain, France and Venezuela are braced for clashes today in what is a traditional day of celebration for the labour movement. However, in recent years anti-capitalist protestors, anarchists and far-right activists have hi-jacked the day causing many shop fronts in European capitals to boarded up for the day.
The Metropolitan Police in London are preparing for a hardcore of 300 to 400 activists who they say are intent on causing trouble.
The force's Assistant Commissioner, Mike Todd, issued the statement as protesters gather at Camden Tube Station and Camberwell Green. There have been no reports of any trouble as both groups head for Grosvenor Square.
Assistant Commissioner Todd said: "We do know that some of the groups involved, and some of the individuals we know are involved in these demonstrations, are far more intent on causing acts of violence and damage than they are on making legitimate peaceful protest."
Additional reporting PA &