Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jun 30, 2025

UK: 10 police officers injured during clashes at Black Lives Matter protest

Ten officers were left injured after police clashed with a small number of demonstrators at a Black Lives Matter protest in London on Saturday.
Thousands of peaceful activists marched through the capital city today to demand justice for George Floyd and call for an end to systemic racism today.

However, tensions escalated outside Downing Street in the early evening, with 14 people arrested and a post-event investigation set to be carried out.

Met officers on horses are said to have ‘mounted a charge’ down Whitehall at about 6pm in order to push protesters back.

Some were allegedly forced to guard Downing Street after red flares were thrown over security gates.

Bottles and other objects were also reportedly hurled at police, while images showed bikes being thrown at horses.

One officer was taken to hospital after falling off her horse, with footage showing the animal then bolting, sending crowds of people scattering.

The officer is currently receiving treatment for her injuries, which are not life-threatening and the horse is safely back in its stable, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said tonight. The force is examining the full circumstances of what took place, he added.

The force said 10 officers were injured overall at the demonstration after a small number of the crowd became ‘angry and intent on violence’ after 7pm.

Superintendent Jo Edwards, spokesperson for policing today’s demonstration, said: ‘We understand people’s passion to come and let their voice be heard, they protested largely without incident.

‘Our officers have been professional and very restrained, but there was a smaller group intent on violence towards police officers.

‘Twenty-three officers have received injuries, doing their job, policing protest over the last few days, and that is totally unacceptable.

‘There have been 14 arrests made today, but we expect that number to rise and there will be a post-event investigation carried out.’

The majority of protesters at the demonstration had left central London by 9pm, the Metropolitan Police added.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said violence at protests was ‘completely unacceptable’ and gave officers her ‘full support in tackling disorderly behaviour’.

Meanwhile, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan praised those who protested peacefully on Saturday but said people who became violent ‘let down the cause’

He said: ‘To the thousands of Londoners who protested peacefully today, I stand with you and I share your anger and your pain. George Floyd’s brutal killing must be a catalyst for change worldwide.”

He added: ‘No country, city, police service or institution can absolve itself of the responsibility to do better. We must stand together and root out racism wherever it is found. Black Lives Matter.

‘To the tiny minority who were violent and threw glass bottles and lit flares – you endangered a safe and peaceful protest and let down this important cause.’

It comes after the government urged the public to stay away from mass demonstrations this weekend as ‘coronavirus remains a real threat’.

Health secretary Matt Hancock told the daily Downing Street briefing on Friday: ‘Like so many I am appalled by the death of George Floyd and I understand why people are deeply upset but we are still facing a health crisis and coronavirus remains a real threat.

‘The reason that it is vital that people stick to the rules this weekend is to protect themselves and their family from this horrific disease.

‘So please, for the safety of your loved ones, do not attend large gatherings including demonstrations of more than six people.’

Many protesters in Parliament Square wore masks and face coverings today, with some also using gloves and hand sanitiser gel.

Massive crowds also gathered in other cities across the UK, including Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle, Swansea, Leicester and Sheffield.

Some placards in London referred to the pandemic, with one saying: ‘There is a virus greater than Covid-19 and it’s called racism.’

Other signs read ‘Silence is violence’, ‘One race, the human race’ and ‘Stop police brutality’.

While tensions appeared to escalate among a small number of protesters in the evening, demonstrations across the rest of the day remained peaceful.

Around 15,000 activists listened to speeches and took part in a minute’s silence in Westminster in the afternoon, with one organiser using a megaphone to tell the crowds: ‘We are not here for violence. Today is sheer positivity, today is sheer love.’

Around 10,000 broke off to march towards the Home Office to call for justice for victims of the Windrush immigration scandal.

Protester Bobbi, 26, from Chingford, London – who did not give her last name, said: ‘We’re literally living in the history books, we’re going to be teaching our future children about this and I want to say I was here to support that.’

It comes after thousands gathered in Hyde Park on Wednesday, with Star Wars actor John Boyega sharing a rallying cry in response to the tragic death of Mr Floyd.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
×