Riot police raid squats at centre of anarchist meetings

POLICE today raided two squats being used by anarchists at the centre of violent G20 protests.

More than 240 riot officers swooped on the illegally-occupied buildings in armour-plated Jankel jeeps this afternoon.

More than 100 activists were held and four suspected ringleaders arrested in the raids on two warehouses, believed to be bases for yesterday's demonstrations. Foreign nationals are thought to be among those arrested.

Police forced their way into a three-storey building in Rampart Street on the City borders with battering rams. The squatters had hung a flag reading "resist eviction" on the brightly painted building, which they had reclaimed as "community creative social space".

Police also raided an abandoned building in Earl Street near Liverpool Street Station that was known to be hosting anarchist group meetings.

Chief superintendent Michael Johnson, leading the operation, said: "People have a right to lawful protests but we will take action against those intent on violence.

"These raids were based on intelligence that the people who caused the violence during yesterday's protests had been staying here and were returning."

The Rampart Street squat is believed to have been occupied for several months, housing up to 100 people for recent meetings.

The Earl Street site hosted a meeting on Tuesday night at which anarchists urged attacks on banks.