linksunten Archiv

Protesters believed to be occupying a former police station in Soho as part of action before summit in Northern Ireland
Riot police have been deployed in London amid demonstrations before a G8 conference. About 100 officers were in Soho, central London, on Tuesday where protesters with banners were believed to be occupying a former police station in Beak Street.

The police activity comes after reports of a day of action before the two-day summit in Northern Ireland next week.
Police protection of landmark sites across Belfast has been tightened in advance of the conference.
Westminster council cabinet member for city management Ed Argar said: "Our warden teams will be working with police to manage the streets and we also have clean-up crews on standby.

"Everyone respects the right to legitimate protest and I hope this will be a day without incident.

"However, business people, shop staff and visitors have the right to go about the West End without intimidation or interference and we will do our best to ensure the centre of London runs smoothly."

There were reports on Twitter of strong police presences in the Oxford Circus and Regent Street area and Golden Square, close to Beak Street.

Designer Jamie Rees, tweeting under@jamie_rees, reported: "Locked into work. Literally. G8 protestors outside targeting Golden Square."
Ed McClaran, @edmcclaran, tweeted: "Big G8 protest outside outside our offices today. People chaining themselves to railings. Why they are in the West End and not the City, I don't know."