Violence hits central London at anti-capitalist ‘Million Mask March’

Activists set a police car alight and scuffled with riot police in central London as thousands took part in a “Million Mask March” anti-capitalist demonstration.

Many activists wore the white masks associated with the international Anonymous network at the march on Thursday night, an annual anti-establishment protest that takes place on Britain's Guy Fawkes Night.

Demonstrators threw fireworks and bottles at police, some of whom were knocked from their horses, while several bleeding protesters were treated for injuries as authorities tried to contain the march.

Police said 28 people were arrested for public order offences and that three injured officers had been taken to hospital.

Protesters chanted “One solution: revolution” and “Whose streets? Our streets” and split into different factions, confronting lines of police outside Buckingham Palace and the office of Prime Minister David Cameron.

Some demonstrators ran through London's major shopping district around Oxford Street, smashing windows and engaging in running scuffles with police as shops closed their doors.

One protester who emerged from the crowd with blood pouring from his head close to the headquarters of the ruling Conservative party said he had been caught between a surge of demonstrators and police batons.