Forest Gate 'riot': Police officers taken to hospital after violence erupts at protest over death of Edir Frederico Da Costa

Six police officers were injured including four who were taken to hospital as clashes erupted following the death of a man after a traffic stop.

One male officer suffered facial injuries and a female officer sustained head injuries as individuals threw objects toward police and set fires at the scene in Forest Gate, east London, Scotland Yard said.

Four people were arrested for offences including disorder, arson and criminal damage in connection with the incident that began on Sunday evening.

Earlier crowds had joined a march demanding justice for Edir Frederico Da Costa, 25, who died on June 21.

He had been stopped in a car by Metropolitan Police officers in Newham six days earlier.

Campaigners claim Mr Da Costa's neck was broken and he was "brutally beaten" after the car, containing three people, was stopped in Woodcocks, Beckton.

But watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is investigating, said a preliminary post-mortem on Thursday indicated there were no spinal injuries caused by police.

Protesters, some carrying Black Lives Matter posters and others with homemade placards which read "Justice for Edson + How Many More???", marched from Forest Gate to Stratford on Sunday.

Borough Commander Superintendent Ian Larnder tried to calm tensions as he answered questions from organisers, telling the crowd: "I am here because l care deeply about what is going on."

But a flurry of angry comments such as "you are protecting them" was hurled at Mr Larnder as members of the crowd pressed him about alleged police brutality.

"Police officers are all accountable to the law, they are being investigated," he said.

When one of the campaigners asked if the officers involved in the incident were still working, he said: "I am pretty sure they have not been suspended but removed from operational duties."

One resident, was passing through on his way home, said: “Someone was having a fit and there were shouts for everyone to stop throwing missiles so she could be treated by the police medics. A missile was thrown in their direction, that got people angry.”

Zaeem Husein, 28, had his car windows smashed as the protest threatened to spill into a “full blown riot” involving up to 200 people.

He said: “Tensions were really high we had property damaged, cars burnt out. I had my car smashed for no reason. In some parts it did spill over into a riot. There were people with rocks and cyclists riding around damaging vehicles.

“I’m angry. I’m all for protesting but why damage the community and ruin property of local residents who want the same justice served?”

Flo Wijaya, 19, said the protests had “scared the locals” as the march threatened to spiral out of control.

“Residents think it’s disturbing, it’s a family neighbourhood. There were kids just standing outside watching fire and people protesting I could smell the rubber and litter.

“The people around the neighbourhood began to extinguish the fire and asking people to leave because it was already really late.

“The residents were pretty upset because the strong winds were blowing the fire directly to the doors of their homes.”

Scotland Yard said: "Four people have been arrested. One person was arrested on suspicion of disorder offences; three others were arrested on suspicion of arson and criminal damage.

"They have all been taken to east London police stations where they remain in custody."

The Met added that Mr Larnder had "engaged with organisers in a bid to calm the crowd" before the protest returned to the police station.

A force spokesman said: "A number of objects were thrown towards officers. A small number of fires - involving the contents of litter bins - were also set in the street. These were quickly dealt with by the London Fire Brigade.

"At 10.50pm the size of the protest had significantly reduced but the protesters remained in the area.

"Shortly after 11.10pm, the main crowd dispersed into a number of smaller groups and again officers had items thrown at them.

"Six officers were injured, four of whom were taken to hospital for medical treatment. These include a male police sergeant who suffered facial injuries and a female police constable who suffered head injuries."