BONFIRE NIGHT
Shocking moment fireworks launched at cops as protesters descend on Parliament, as 8 officers injured
THIS is the shocking moment fireworks were launched at police as hundreds of anti-Government protesters descended on the streets of London.
Anarchists took to Parliament Square donning Guy Fawkes masks and setting off flares during the annual Million Mask March.
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A dozen people were arrested during the protest and eight officers were injured, police confirmed, calling the actions by rioters "unacceptable".
In the footage, posted to Twitter, police are seen clashing with protesters as fireworks spiral into the crowd.
The Met Police confirmed bystanders were "struck" by fireworks and warned of "very serious injuries".
Meanwhile in Manchester, three cops were injured while dealing with unrest three miles from the city centre last night.
A group of around 50 people threw fireworks and other objects at officers - and two people were arrested.
In another clip, dozens of officers stand by and watch on as rioters from the Million Mask March wreak havoc.
One picture shows a rioter lighting an effigy of Prime Minister Boris Johnson on fire.
The Met released a statement on the protest saying that some rioters travelled to London to target cops.
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Dog units and mounted divisions were deployed to support the cops' efforts in keeping the protest as peaceful as possible.
"This policing plan has been developed following a continual review and thorough assessment of intelligence which suggests some groups are intent on causing disorder or targeting police officers with violence,' a Met spokesman said.
"As a precaution, officers will be equipped with specialist public order uniforms and a number of protective barriers have been set up outside a number of locations in London."
Earlier yesterday, riot police were spotted outside of Buckingham Palace with barricades built to protect the front gates.
The Million Mask March is an annual protest that coincides with Bonfire Night on November 5.
The anti-establishment march was first held in 2012 and has been held in different cities across the world since then.
The group is associated with "Anonymous", the international activist group, and protests against capitalist greed and corruption.
A Met Police spokesman said: "A crowd in Parliament Square have been dangerously lighting fireworks and rockets.
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"Some have struck people or exploded near to the crowd, this could cause very serious injury.
"We have moved into the crowd to remove any fireworks and prevent people coming to harm."
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