The Metropolitan Police commented when facing another week of potential student demonstrations.
Head of the Met’s Public Order Branch, Commander Bob Broadhurst, said anyone planning to come to central London with the sole intention of causing trouble could expect firm action from the police.<br><br>He said: "We will take whatever steps are necessary to protect life and property. As I’ve said before, a significant violent element has hijacked the previous demonstrations from genuine peaceful protesters.<br><br>"We have also seen some people get carried away in the heat of the moment and get involved in violence which they would never normally consider.<br><br>"My message to these people is clear and unequivocal – make no mistake, if you indulge in reckless violence, injuring officers and innocent people, we will track you down and you will face the consequences. Those consequences could change the path of your life forever.<br><br>"By all means exercise your democratic right and protest, but this has to be peaceful otherwise you cross the line from protester to criminal, and this has the potential to affect your future opportunities in life."<br><br>Section 60 stop and search powers will be used within Westminster if necessary to prevent troublemakers hijacking peaceful protests.<br><br>The Met Police continues to urge those planning protests within the capital to come and work with officers ahead of events.<br><br>Commander Bob Broadhurst added that following the wanton and serious levels of violence during last Thursday’s tuition fees demonstrations, the MPS would be looking to see if there are other tactics that could be used to deal with violent disorder in the future.<br><br>"There has been a great deal of speculation over the weekend about the Met using water cannons. There are no current plans to use water cannons on the streets of the capital but we would be foolish if we did not take time to look at tactics such as this to see if it might be appropriate in the future.<br><br>"I would emphasise we will not rush in to anything and we are not in the business of knee jerk reactions. Anything we do will be carefully and fully considered to ensure the best outcome for protesters, officers and all Londoners."<br><br>Addressing parliament on December 13, the Home Secretary said that ‘some students behaved disgracefully’, but that police assessments show groups of ‘hardcore activists’ infiltrated the protests.<br><br>More than 30 police officers and 43 protestors were injured in planned student protests in central London last Thursday. Thirty five arrests were made.<br> <br>The Independent Police Complaints Commission has begun an investigation into an incident which left one protestor seriously injured. <br><br>The Home Secretary said: ‘I want to be absolutely clear: the blame for the violence lies squarely and solely with those who carried it out. <br> <br>’The idea – that some have advanced – that police tactics were to blame when people came armed with sticks, flares, fireworks, stones and snooker balls, is as ridiculous as it is unfair.'<br> <br>She also expressed her gratitude to the 2,800 officers who carried out the police operation. ‘It was this bravery that enabled this House to engage unhindered in democratic debate,’ she added. <br><br>The Metropolitan Police is conducting an urgent review into royal protection arrangements.<br><br>This follows an incident which saw a car carrying Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall being attacked.<br> <br>On the question of whether the Duchess was struck through the window of the car, the Home Secretary said that she understood that ‘some contact’ was made.<br> <br>The review will report back on 17 December. The Home Secretary will then decide if any further action is necessary.<br><br>And ACPO President Sir Hugh Orde (pictured) said of the December 10 student protests: “Thousands of protests across the country each year pass with little or no incident. Police officers are there to facilitate peaceful protest, but they are also there to keep the peace. At highly charged and large scale events such as that which took place yesterday that can be a very difficult balance.??“The actions of some of those who attended yesterday were as far removed from peaceful protest as it is possible to be. Those police officers who came under violent attack should be supported for the bravery they showed. As the Home Secretary has said, they put themselves on the line to keep London’s streets and citizens safe.”
