Dramatic moment six riot police took down rooftop protester as squad storms Soho squat of anti-capitalists planning to target G8

Officers bundled man to ground after a precarious rooftop confrontation

He appeared to be bleeding but was later reported to be in a stable condition and detained under mental health act



They moved in to try to disrupt any violence at the 'Carnival Against Capitalism' held yesterday

Kick-starts week of protests ahead of meeting of the G8 nations in Northern Ireland next week



Police raided HQ of Stop G8 in Soho, whose members were squatting inside disused police station



Officers forced their way into to the building using angle-grinders and dragged away at least 40 squatters



Scuffles broke out in L ondon streets with 1,200 officers on patrol, 200 protesters and 57 arrests made




This is the dramatic moment a man almost leapt to his death at a protest in London yesterday.

High on a rooftop, he dashed for the edge of a building occupied by G8 demonstrators in a stand-off with hundreds of riot police.

He was stopped from plunging more than 60ft by specialist officers, who pulled him away and on to the ground.

The life-or-death moment came in a demonstration that turned into the Siege of Soho as a handful of protesters intent on disrupting next week’s G8 summit in Northern Ireland began their campaign in London.

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Stand off: Footage showed a protester gripping onto a chimney stack and precariously stepping along the roof with a sheer drop behind him before being bundled down



Taking on the police: The activist appeared to dash at police, who grabbed him and got him on the ground. The officers were secured to the roof with safety ropes



Hurt: After being pinned down the mystery man clearly had blood pouring from his head before he was taken away on a stretcher Dramatic moment: The protester gripped onto a chimney stack before being bundled down onto his front by half a dozen riot police in Soho, central London Injured: Officers carry the man away. He appeared to be bleeding profusely after a struggle with officers. He is now reported to be in a stable condition Stretchered: The injured man who was tackled on the roof is pictured being wheeled into an ambulance on Golden Square in Soho, adjacent to Beak Street Medical help: The protester was later taken into an ambulance for treatment in Soho, central London, after the dramatic incident. His hands were secured with wrist ties High up: Police stand on the rooftop of a building where a man was tackled in Soho, central London. In roads surrounding the area, scuffles broke out between hundreds of police and protesters

Breaking in: This picture was taken in the moments after police cut their way into the police station squat taken over by G8 protesters and started dragging out activists



Incident: Police restrain a protester in Soho, central London, amid demonstrations ahead of the G8 conference in Northern Ireland next week

Chanting: A group set themselves up on the flat roof of the police station they were squatting in before they were forced out when police broke in

Fury: An anti-capitalist protester screams as he is arrested and escorted by police after raiding their squat in Soho's Beak Street

The Metropolitan Police, still smarting from a widely criticised performance at the last G8 riots – and reacting to internet threats to attack landmarks – turned out in full force.



At the Beak Street police station, an hours-long stand-off ended only when a squad broke down a door with angle-grinders.

Meanwhile clutches of demonstrators marauded around Piccadilly, Regent Street and Leicester Square, forcing police to deploy more officers.

Mission accomplished? Perhaps. As one officer at the Carnaby Street end of Beak Street observed: ‘If we weren’t here, all hell would be breaking loose.’

So maybe a massive policing bill, or the cost of repairing riot-damaged cars and buildings, is a fair trade-off for all those traffic jams, missed appointments and inconvenience. But according to protesters, there is much more of this to come.

Of an estimated 200 protesters, police made at least 32 arrests.



German, French, Dutch, Belgian and Spanish squatters were among 50 people evicted from the police station.

Construction workers next door said the first of them arrived three days ago. Websites declared the squat a headquarters, at the centre of so much decadence (or, as some call it, commerce).



Yesterday morning – fired up on Twitter, Facebook and email – demonstrators converged. Banners unfurled; marshals and legal advisers turned up in fluorescent gilets; a loud hailer directed the throng and advised on citizens’ rights.

If protesters envisaged claiming Beak Street as their own, however, they were quickly disappointed. The Metropolitan Police (they check the internet too, apparently) arrived in such numbers that from most angles it was impossible to see anything beyond a sea of blue riot helmets. For most of the day police vans outnumbered black cabs by about 20 to one. Some even came by bus.

‘This is what happens in a police state!’ a demonstrator screamed from behind a barrier. ‘No it ain’t mate,’ a Soho shop-owner said. ‘In a police state, they’d shoot you.’ No-one saw armed officers but they did arrive with a fearsome array of anti-protest equipment.



‘Who are those guys?’ a protester inquired as a dozen or so RoboCop types in armour came past, saying ‘Excuse me please’ as they picked a path through the multitude.



‘That’s the smash-the-door-down squad,’ a chatty copper replied, without a trace of a smile. Minutes later, there was the whine of a mechanical cutter, a bang and the sight of a single protester trying to raise a V-sign as he (or she) was carried out. Half a dozen eggs were thrown as the squad went in some four hours after the demo started.



Arm lock: Police secure and detain a protestor. Many of the demonstrators had come from all over Europe

Elsewhere, police used special stop and search powers to invite likely suspects to turn out the contents of their rucksacks. Startled tourists halted in wonder as yellow-jacket police pursued about 50 breakaway protesters past startled al fresco diners.

A few headed back to Beak Street, where office workers and Soho residents hung from windows and balconies to watch the show.

Later around two dozen protesters gathered outside the BP headquarters in St James's Square, amid a heavy police presence.

At least 57 arrests had been made for alleged offences including possession of articles with intent to commit criminal damage, assault on police, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon and failing to remove a face covering.



A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'Officers attended an address in Beak Street with a search warrant relating to intelligence that individuals at the address were in possession of weapons and were intent on causing criminal damage and engaging in violent disorder.'

According to workers on the street, the protesters had been openly smoking drugs, drinking and fighting since arriving last Friday.



John Emmerson, 32, who works a few doors down on Beak Street, said the squatters clashed with a group of suited men on Friday evening. He said they were openly smoking cannabis and drinking lager, becoming aggressive if approached by locals.

He said: 'They got here around 4 o clock on Friday about maybe seven of them. Almost straight away there was a fight between them and around five guys wearing suits.

'I don't know what it was over but it was a fair old tussle with punches thrown and everything.



Incident: A protester has their bag turned out as police sealed off Beak Street, in Soho, and flushed out squatters

Leaving: An activist pushes a trolley filled with clothes and other belongings after police raided the anti-G8 HQ

Taken away: A woman holding a guitar is hurried along by riot police after they successfully ended a four-hour stand-off Riot shields: Protesters clash with police in Golden Square, central London, outside Vida e Caffè coffee shop Lying down: Protesters relax after being led from a building they had been occupying on Beak Street in Soho, as part of a protest ahead of next week's G8 summit

Flat out: Some scuffles broke out between protesters and police leading to a number of arrests, including this person who lay stricken on the floor

Chase: This activist tries to flee the police as scuffles broke out in the streets of central London yesterday

'Since then maybe 50 or so more have come, though it is hard to tell because it is such a massive building. On Friday they were smoking weed on the street and drinking lager, becoming quite rowdy actually.

'They would always have one or two outside keeping watch and a couple on the roof wearing masks. The guys on the roof were always shouting at you if you looked at them. They looked off their heads most of the time to be honest, on drugs.'

Shocked tourists reacted with fear after anti-capitalist demonstrators staged the roving demonstration.

Italian Alfio Gangeni told how he became ‘frightened for his children’ after he stumbled into noisy protests on Regents Street.

Mr Gangeni, 35, from Catania, in Sicily, said: ‘what is all this protesting for, what’s the point? ‘I did not expect London to be like this. I am frightened for my daughter, she is only two-years old.’

A Saudi visitor who gave her name as Fatima asked: 'What’s going on?



'Why are there so many police? Is there going to be any shooting?’

Students from some of London's most prestigious universities were among the throng of protesters which also included contingents from Germany, Spain and elsewhere in Europe who had travelled to London specifically to take part in the protests.

At one point several protesters gleefully pointed to the front cover of the Evening Standard newspaper which showed dozens of riot police at the demonstration.

Among the protesters was self-styled anarchist Adam Barr, 21, a Chinese and history student at SOAS University, who said: 'Obviously today is a G8 protest.

'We are protesting against globalisation and the capitalist system which clearly isn't working. This is one of the ways of getting our voices heard. The disruption is not ideal, but this is one of the only ways to get our message out to people.

'My parents are pretty left wing so they don't mind me protesting; they just don't want me to get arrested. There is a big SOAS contingent here, around 15 people.'

Retired scaffolder Ian Lewis, 66, from Crystal Palace in south east London, said: 'I want to see the overthrow of capitalism.

'The G8 sees the biggest leaders from all over the world come together, they are a bunch of b******s who ruin society and we need to get rid of them.

'I was in Beak Street, it was real overkill, around 300 coppers burst in on around 10 people having tea.

'I've been to a bunch of the meetings in the Soho squat. This protest is leaderless, people have come from all over Europe - Spain, all over.'

Meanwhile on surrounding streets protesters were involved in scuffles with police, with some being put in cuffs and dragged away.



Metropolitan Police commander Neil Basu said around 1,200 officers had been involved in Operation Hemingway, which he described as a 'proportionate' response to the protests.

He said: 'We had some protests and disorder in London but we were anticipating that there would be protests this week.

'I think we have behaved proportionately and we have used the tactics that we know have been effective in the past.'

Graffiti: Crude scrawls against the police, or 'Popo', covered the walls in the building the protestors occupied

Squat: One of the living areas for the occupants in the former police station. It took hundreds of officers to complete the removal

Slogan: Protestors made their feelings known when officers stormed the building

He added: 'What we want to do is help people protest peacefully and within the bounds of the law. It is only when people step outside of that that police have to use their powers to prevent crime and disorder - that's what the public pays us for.'



He said officers were deployed at fixed sites known as 'protest magnets' as part of the operation.

'I am incredibly proud to live in a country where your right is for peaceful protest," he said. 'If people come and speak to us we can organise and help you plan a peaceful protest within the bounds of the law.

'If you decide to step outside the law, our core job is to prevent crime and disorder, that's what you have seen us doing today.'

Opposing sides: A police officer bearing a riot shield shouts at demonstrators

Viva la revolucion: Police officers push an activist after raiding the building used as a base for demonstrators protesting against the upcoming G8 summit

Tirade: A member of the Stop G8 protest group wearing a red face scarf demonstrates on a rooftop

Clash: A protestor pushes against a shield as riot police officers move in A man who worked nearby reported some of the squatters were openly smoking cannabis and drinking lager, becoming aggressive if approached by locals

Anger: Police officers hold an anti-capitalist protester in the West End while a masked activist makes a signal from the roof of their squat HQ

Locked out: Police are seen on Beak Street to stop anti-G8 protesters causing trouble as they occupied a former police station

Tussle: Several protesters were cuffed and taken away as scuffles broke out in Soho

She said police had tried to approach the organisers of the protests but had received no response, adding: 'We have sought to engage with protest groups who were proposing action around G8 through our Police Liaison Teams but at this stage no groups or individuals have engaged with us.



'We would continue to ask anyone who wants to protest in London around the G8 Summit to contact us so that we can work with them and facilitate peaceful protest.



'As part of our engagement we have met with key business representatives in Central London and the City to advise them about how best to prepare their staff, their premises and how to deal with protest in their business premises should it happen.'

There were skirmishes around Oxford Street, and police had prevented an attempt by the G8 protesters to occupy Piccadilly Circus.

A line of officers dressed in riot gear formed a line across Piccadilly as the marchers approached from the west. After a brief scuffle the protesters turned around and ran into Soho via Air Street as bewildered shoppers looked on.



Scrum: In a melee believed to be just off Oxford Street, a protester with a painted face is held by police while others also attempt to get involved

Detained: A male activist with his head still covered is pushed forwards with his hands behind his back after his arrest in central London

Inspection: Officers look at the arrested man's belongings as he bows his head after his apparent arrest

'Humanity is spiraling towards extinction,' yelled one protester, who identified himself only as Silvester. 'We are facing the biggest crisis ever. We oppose governments and corporations. And the G8 is emblematic of all that.'

Powers to stop and search in anticipation of violence and to require the removal of disguises were authorised this morning and remain in force.



A Home Office spokesman said: 'Peaceful protest is a vital part of a democratic society, providing it is conducted within the law. But protesters' rights need to be balanced with the rights of others to go about their business without fear of intimidation or serious disruption to the community.



'Rights to peaceful protest do not extend to violent or threatening behaviour and the police have powers to deal with any such acts.'

Outside Fortnum and Mason, police blocked access, because the historic shop was targeted during protests against Government cuts in 2011.

Dragged off: A demonstrator screams to the crowd as he is taken to a police van after he was detained during the protest

Held down: This activist looks calm as police pinned him to the floor before probably putting him in handcuffs

Lining the street: These police officers set up a cordon on a typically narrow Soho street as they try to contain anti-G8 protests

They acted because d emonstrators had threatened to target 'capitalist targets' including banks, hotels and other businesses. Riot vans and a strong police presence were deployed where protesters with banners had occupied the building on Beak Street in Soho.



Businesses in central London were reportedly warned to take precautions after similar protests in recent years led to violent clashes with riot police.

Last month, StopG8 issued a map of 100 potential targets, including hedge funds Man Group and Paulson, private equity firm Blackstone, banks such as Citi and Barclays and embassies including those of Saudi Arabia and the United States.

'Carnival will go ahead despite cops at Beak St. Don't let them intimidate us! See you 12 noon Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus,' StopG8 said on Twitter.



The group, which describes itself as an openly anti-capitalist network 'made up of autonomous groups and individuals', had refused to cooperate with police, meaning it was not clear how many people would attend, or where they would focus their attentions.



StopG8 has called for supporters to meet at noon at two locations in the heart of central London's main shopping district.

Fight: A police officer tries to grab hold of a flag-waving protester as other activists try to pull him free



Activity: Hundreds of officers came in riot vans and other vehicles as they tried to deal with trouble

Battles: A young woman drops to her knees as police were forced to restrain several protesters who they believed were causing trouble

The activity after reports of a day of action ahead of the two-day summit in Northern Ireland next week. Police protection of landmark sites across Belfast has also been tightened in advance of the conference.



Two protests against the G8 Summit are planned for Belfast on Saturday, just a day before many of the world leaders arrive in Northern Ireland for the political event.

The Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions is asking people to attend the 'peaceful, dignified and yet loud and boisterous march and rally' in the city centre at lunchtime.

A second separate protest is planned for Botanic Gardens on Saturday. Thousands of security officers will be on patrol in Northern Ireland over the next week in anticipation of protests against the G8.

Trade unionists tonight warned troublemakers to stay away from protests against the G8.

Activists from Unite, Britain's biggest union and NIPSA which represents thousands of public sector workers in Northern Ireland said measures had been put in place to prevent demonstrations in Belfast and Fermanagh being hijacked by violent anti-capitalist thugs.

'If you are intent on trouble do not come near our demonstration. We won't allow this demonstration to be hijacked,' said Gary Mulcahy, a spokesman and co-ordinator for the G8 Not Welcome campaign.



Action: Beak Street in Soho is packed with riot police, who left a protester on the railings outside a building occupied by anti-G8 activists

Action: The officers then tried to pull the man away from the building, while he hid behind the railings

Squat: A protester gestures from a window as police officers in riot gear stand on the rooftop of the building, used as a headquarters by a group protesting against the upcoming G8 summit

Removed: A man, a woman and a young boy carrying a stuffed toy elephant are escorted from the building by riot police

Defence: Officers with shields face the Beak Street building as part of a large group of police ready to deal with trouble

Pensive: A police officer dressed in full riot gear stands considering the situation, surrounded by his colleagues

One designer, Jamie Rees, tweeting under@jamie-rees, reported: 'Locked into work. Literally. G8 protestors outside targeting Golden Square.'



Another 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.'

The leaders of the world’s eight wealthiest countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, are due to meet at the luxury Lough Erne resort in Co Fermanagh for the two-day conference next week.

Scene: With banners hanging off the building and people behind the railings, police surround the HQ

Street view: A picture likely to have been taken on a mobile phone shows the scene on this narrow Soho street

Inside and outside: Protesters were firmly entrenched in the former Beak Street police station while riot police were on the roof and outside

U.S. President Barack Obama is to visit parts of Belfast ahead of the summit.

Westminster City 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.

