There is 'only so much we can do' to protect schoolchildren who take part in London tuition fee demonstrations, say police

Police warned today there was "only so much they can do" to protect schoolchildren who took part in tuition fee demonstrations which turned violent.

The head of the Metropolitan police's public order branch said schoolchildren have a right to protest but he also urged parents to tell them about the "potential dangers".

Speaking ahead of a second day of national action planned for tomorrow, Commander Bob Broadhurst said: "Schoolchildren have as much right as anyone else to protest, but young people are more vulnerable and likely to be injured if violence breaks out.

"We would ask parents to talk to their children and make sure they're aware of the potential dangers, as there is only so much police officers can do once they are in a crowd of thousands."

On Wednesday,35 people were arrested and seven police officers injured after violence broke out during protests in central London.

Police were forced to defend their use of "kettling" tactics after thousands of protesters, including many school pupils, where held for about four hours in Whitehall.

They also denied using police horses to charge the crowds.

Yesterday, the policing minister, Nick Herbert, insisted police were right to kettle the students.

Herbert told Sky News: "There is no doubt that there is a hardened group of troublemakers – a minority – who were setting out to cause violence and criminal damage. We saw what they did the week before and I think the police were right to contain that while ensuring of course that people are properly treated within the containment area.

"They were of course offered water and loos and things like that, but we can't expect that the police would allow them to run rampage through the streets, potentially causing greater violence."

Following the protest Britain's most senior police officer, Sir Paul Stephenson, warned of more disorder on the streets, saying "the game has changed".

Commander Broadhurst said today: "The Met will always respect the right to protest peacefully, but I would urge all those considering taking to the streets of London again this week to think carefully about the consequences of engaging in violence and disorder.

"This behaviour doesn't help anybody, least of all those who have a genuine and peaceful point to make. We will always work with protesters and consider their needs and aims, but we have to balance these against the needs and rights of other Londoners.

"While protesters should be able to march peacefully to highlight their concerns, they should not be able to seriously disrupt the lives of Londoners and prevent them going about their daily business. People have a right to go to work, go shopping or sight see without fear of violence and disorder."

He continued: "We are gathering intelligence from a wide variety of sources and developing an appropriate and proportionate policing plan for the day of action on Tuesday. This plan will be flexible and be able to adapt to whatever unfolds on the ground.

"Again I would urge those planning to protest to get in touch and work with us to make sure that the point they want to make on the day is not lost in a sea of violence and disorder."

Meanwhile, the Conservatives called on Labour leader Ed Miliband to take action against a Labour MP who called for a "programme of resistance" against the coalition government's cuts.

Leftwinger John McDonnell told a rally on Saturday in London: "I know the Daily Mail will report me again as inciting riots yet again. Well, maybe that is what we are doing."

In a letter to Miliband, the Conservative party chair, Baroness Warsi, called on the Labour leader to take action over McDonnell's "reckless" remarks.

A Labour party spokesman said that McDonnell would be "spoken to" by the party whips about his remarks.

Jenny Jones, a member of the Metropolitan Police Authority who attended the protest on Wednesday, said the use of kettling was disproportionate.

She said: "I'm concerned that the minister had given his backing to such a controversial measure, especially when it lasted over nine and a half hours, the loos and water were late and limited, and there was a charge by horses.

"This did not look like a last resort to me. It looked like an early intervention that was not thought through properly."

Anyone wishing to contact the public order planning branch ahead of tomorrow's events should ring 020 7230 9833.