Local protesters caught up in riot (From Stroud News and Journal)

Local protesters caught up in riot

STROUD campaigners in Edinburgh for the G8 protest were swept up in a riot, in which 100 arrests were made.

Concrete slabs, boulders and park benches were uprooted and hurled at police, with seven officers and 22 protesters being injured in the brawl.

Photographer Matt Archibald, of Reservoir Close, Stroud, was caught up in a 500-strong mob at Prince's Street Gardens, which grappled with mounted officers in full riot gear.

Mr Archibald said: "There was some sort of antagonism going on between police and protesters and suddenly all hell broke loose.

"They had shields, truncheons - the full monty.

"There were lots of police about and tons of rioters."

The riot started at around 12pm on Monday, July 4, and it took ten hours and 1000 officers to get the situation under control.

Acting chief constable Ian Dickinson condemned the behaviour as "wholly unacceptable and threatening", adding: "They have been determined to challenge the community and the police service for their own selfish agenda to inflict disruption and significant disorder.

"We will deal robustly with anyone who behaves in this manner and deploy all the officers we have at our disposal to stop them inflicting mayhem on our communities."

The protest coincides with the G8 Summit. Delegates from the UK, Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, France and the US met in Gleneagles on Tuesday, July 5 and Wednesday, July 5. Campaigners hope to persuade leaders of the world's eight wealthiest country to address the problem of third world debt.

Intensive police resources will remain in Edinburgh until the situation is resolved.