Violence against police officers erupts at St George's Day march in London

VIOLENT disorder has broken out as "far-right groups" attend a St George’s Day march in London.

The Metropolitan Police issued a statement about “disorder” and violence against officers even before the event in central London had begun.

The force also shared a video showing police horses having to be deployed to prevent a group of protesters waving the St George’s Cross from breaking through a cordon.

In a statement on social media, the Met said: “The event is not due to start for an hour and regrettably officers are already dealing with disorder.

“There is an area allocated for this event in Richmond Terrace. This group went past it and continued up Whitehall.

“When officers formed a cordon and asked the group to turn round, they reacted by violently forcing their way through. Mounted officers intervened with horses to restore the cordon.”

Earlier, police said they expected "far right groups and groups linked to football clubs travelling from elsewhere in the UK" to attend the St George's Day march.

National contributor Owen Jones, who has previously been assaulted by a far-right football hooligan, wrote on social media: "Thing is, central London literally is a no-go zone for me right now, having been gay bashed up by far-right activists, assaulted and repeatedly mobbed.

"If I went anywhere near here, I would be absolutely attacked.

"Unfortunately I’m left wing so this doesn’t count!"

Later, the Met issued an update saying: "Whitehall has reopened to traffic in both directions following an earlier closure to deal with people trying to move away from the allocated event area.

"There have been no further incidents since that altercation. There is still a significant police presence."