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Thousands of police officers are set to flood the West End amid warnings police are “expecting trouble” during the planned Million Mask March bonfire night protest.

Scotland Yard is braced for a second consecutive night of chaos as up to 18,000 people descend on the capital for the annual protest, organised by anti-capitalist group Anonymous.

The rally comes 24 hours after students brought parts of the city centre to a standstill in a protest over cuts to student grants.

A dozen people were arrested during the six-hour demo which saw protesters wielding smoke bombs and hurling paint clash with officers.

One senior officer likened last night’s scenes to a “dress rehearsal”.

The police sergeant told the Standard: “Today will be the big one. Most of the hardcore protesters stayed away last night because they don’t always have a view on the student grants.

“They also didn’t want to be arrested, spend 24 hours in a cell and miss the protest today. We’re expecting trouble and for it to be nasty.”

Police warned commuters could face disruption getting home from work as they set out a strictly-defined marching route from Trafalgar Square along the Victoria Embankment to Millbank, Parliament Square and Whitehall.

Last night’s protest organised by the National Campaign against Fees and Cuts saw “small numbers” of anarchists square up to police outside two government buildings.

Activists hurled eggs and smoke bombs at police in Victoria Street after trying to push their way into the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills which has overall control over universities and further education.

Interactive map: Where the police are letting protesters go

About 50 students were later reportedly kettled in St James’ Street, near the Mall, after gathering outside HSBC’s corporate offices chanting: “What do we want? Free education. When do we want it? Now.”

Police marched them along Piccadilly to Charing Cross Station where they were put on trains under threat of arrest.

Student organisers blamed the skirmishes on the “Black Bloc” of hardcore anarchists who threw flares at police lines.

Reading University history graduate and NCAFC steward Tim Rouse, 23, said: “There were a handful of people involved - no more than 100 and we had reports of arrests but not many.

“Then a line of police went forward and then they and the black bloc clashed. I think it started because someone had set off a firework.”