London braced for student fees protest

London is bracing itself for a fresh student protest against tuition fees on Wednesday, one year on from similar demonstrations that erupted in violence.

Met Police Commander Simon Pountain confirmed that the march will be policed by around 4,000 officers this year, a force that could be stretched to the limit given some 52,000 protesters were involved in last year’s ‘Demolition’ marches.

The protest, organised by the ‘National campaign against fees and cuts’, is expected to be well attended again, with students assembling on Malet Street before moving to London Wall where a one-hour fees protest will be held.

“We know the overwhelming majority of students are law-abiding and we hope this will be a peaceful event," Commander Pountain said. “We certainly don't see it as inevitable that we will witness a repeat of last year's scenes of violence and criminal damage.

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“However, it would be negligent if we did not plan a response to the small minority who may be intent on disruption and may not intend to be peaceful.”

A possible flashpoint may occur over the Met Police’s intension to disperse demonstrators from London Wall by 5.30pm on Wednesday, as they attempt to avoid a repeat of night violence that marred last year’s demonstrations.  

Effective policing will also be tough to balance with safety of the protesters as the Met Police has come under fire for securing the authority to use baton rounds in case of further disruption.

The announcement was met with despair by march organiser Michael Chessum who told PA: "What the police have done is extremely political and a cynical attempt to put people off from coming to a national demonstration.

"What they are doing is trying to put people off and pre-criminalising the process. They have made it more likely that trouble will occur.”

Despite this, it would be an extreme measure to see the rounds used, especially as the Met chose not to use them during the summer riots despite having authorisation then as well.

Those planning to demonstrate have also been handed a “timely reminder of the consequences”, according to Met Police Detective Chief Superintendent Matthew Horne, as five people involved in disruptions during last year’s protest were sentenced to a total of more than six years in prison on 4 November.

“The rights of protest and expression are important to us all. However, people breaking the law, endangering those protesting peacefully and committing offences such as this are criminals,” he added.