Protesters target a police van during a demonstration against an increase in university tuition fees, in Westminster, central London.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 24: Students participate in a mass demonstration over government plans to change education funding and tuition fees on November 24, 2010 in London, United Kingdom. This is the second student day of action and a student march on the 10th November caused widespread damage to Millbank Tower and the Metropolitan police were accused of greatly underestimating the amount of demonstrators. There are plans to raise the student tuition fees in England to around £9,000 a year instead of the current £3,000. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 24: A students speaks at the start of a demonstration over tuition fees and university funding on November 24, 2010 in London, United Kingdom. This is the second student day of action and a student march on the 10th November caused widespread damage to Millbank Tower and the Metropolitan police were accused of greatly underestimating the amount of demonstrators. There are plans to raise the student tuition fees in England to around £9,000 a year instead of the current £3,000. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 24: Students sit on a police van which had been attacked by protestors in Whitehall during a demonstration over tuition fees and university funding on November 24, 2010 in London, United Kingdom. This is the second student day of action and a student march on the 10th November caused widespread damage to Millbank Tower and the Metropolitan police were accused of greatly underestimating the amount of demonstrators. There are plans to raise the student tuition fees in England to around £9,000 a year instead of the current £3,000. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Students stage a silent protest in Winchester against government plans to raise tuition fees. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday November 24, 2010. See PA story EDUCATION Fees. Photo credit should read: Chris Ison/PA Wire
UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 24: Students march around Westminster protesting against planned increases in tuition fees and maintenance grant cuts on November 24, 2010 in London, United Kingdom. A student march earlier in the month saw violent scenes as protestors occupied the Conservative Party headquarters. There are plans to raise the student tuition fees in England to around £9,000 a year instead of the current £3,000. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 24: Police lead a demonstration over tuition fees and university funding on November 24, 2010 in London, United Kingdom. This is the second student day of action and a student march on the 10th November caused widespread damage to Millbank Tower and the Metropolitan police were accused of greatly underestimating the amount of demonstrators. There are plans to raise the student tuition fees in England to around £9,000 a year instead of the current £3,000. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 24: Students protesters throw a firework at police as they join a demonstration over tuition fees and university funding on November 24, 2010 in London, United Kingdom. This is the second student day of action and a student march on the 10th November caused widespread damage to Millbank Tower and the Metropolitan police were accused of greatly underestimating the amount of demonstrators. There are plans to raise the student tuition fees in England to around £9,000 a year instead of the current £3,000. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 24: Students protesters throw a firework at police as they join a demonstration over tuition fees and university funding on November 24, 2010 in London, United Kingdom. This is the second student day of action and a student march on the 10th November caused widespread damage to Millbank Tower and the Metropolitan police were accused of greatly underestimating the amount of demonstrators. There are plans to raise the student tuition fees in England to around £9,000 a year instead of the current £3,000. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Students gather in Trafalgar Square protesting against planned increases in tuition fees and maintenance grant cuts on November 24, 2010 in London
Students protest against an increase in university tuition fees, in Westminster, central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday November 24, 2010. See PA story EDUCATION Fees. Photo credit should read: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire
Students from Sussex Coast College in Hastings, East Sussex, take to the streets in Hastings to protest against proposed rises in university tuition fees. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday November 24, 2010. See PA story EDUCATION Fees. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
Students from Sussex Coast College in Hastings, East Sussex, take to the streets in Hastings to protest against proposed rises in university tuition fees. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday November 24, 2010. See PA story EDUCATION Fees. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
Students from Sussex Coast College in Hastings, East Sussex, take to the streets in Hastings to protest against proposed rises in university tuition fees. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday November 24, 2010. See PA story EDUCATION Fees. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
Students from Sussex Coast College in Hastings, East Sussex, take to the streets in Hastings to protest against proposed rises in university tuition fees. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday November 24, 2010. See PA story EDUCATION Fees. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
A effigy of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is hung from a gallows as students stage a protest outside King's Place, offices of the Guardian and Observer newspaper, where the Deputy Prime Minister is giving the annual Hugo Young Lecture in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday November 23, 2010. Accompanied by an effigy of the Lib Dem leader hanging from a noose, the demonstrators chanted: "Nick Clegg, shame on you, shame on you for turning blue." But their attempt to confront the Deputy Prime Minister face-to-face was thwarted, as he slipped into the building unnoticed. See PA story POLITICS Clegg. Photo credit should read: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire
A masked demonstrator is seen in front of police officers as students stage a protest outside King's Place, offices of the Guardian and Observer newspaper, where the Deputy Prime Minister is giving the annual Hugo Young Lecture in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday November 23, 2010. Accompanied by an effigy of the Lib Dem leader hanging from a noose, the demonstrators chanted: "Nick Clegg, shame on you, shame on you for turning blue." But their attempt to confront the Deputy Prime Minister face-to-face was thwarted, as he slipped into the building unnoticed. See PA story POLITICS Clegg. Photo credit should read: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire
Students stage a protest outside King's Place, offices of the Guardian and Observer newspaper, where Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is giving the annual Hugo Young Lecture in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday November 23, 2010. Accompanied by an effigy of the Lib Dem leader hanging from a noose, the demonstrators chanted: "Nick Clegg, shame on you, shame on you for turning blue." But their attempt to confront the Deputy Prime Minister face-to-face was thwarted, as he slipped into the building unnoticed. See PA story POLITICS Clegg. Photo credit should read: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire
Students stage a protest outside King's Place, offices of the Guardian and Observer newspaper, where Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is giving the annual Hugo Young Lecture in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday November 23, 2010. Accompanied by an effigy of the Lib Dem leader hanging from a noose, the demonstrators chanted: "Nick Clegg, shame on you, shame on you for turning blue." But their attempt to confront the Deputy Prime Minister face-to-face was thwarted, as he slipped into the building unnoticed. See PA story POLITICS Clegg. Photo credit should read: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire
LONDON - NOVEMBER 24: A student is detained by police during a march around Westminster protesting against planned increases in tuition fees and maintenance grant cuts on November 24, 2010 in London, United Kingdom. A student march earlier in the month saw violent scenes as protestors occupied the Conservative Party headquarters. There are plans to raise the student tuition fees in England to around £9,000 a year instead of the current £3,000. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
LONDON - NOVEMBER 24: Students march up Whitehall protesting against planned increases in tuition fees and maintenance grant cuts on November 24, 2010 in London, United Kingdom. A student march earlier in the month saw violent scenes as protestors occupied the Conservative Party headquarters. There are plans to raise the student tuition fees in England to around £9,000 a year instead of the current £3,000. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
LONDON - NOVEMBER 24: Students gather in Trafalgar Square protesting against planned increases in tuition fees and maintenance grant cuts on November 24, 2010 in London, United Kingdom. A student march earlier in the month saw violent scenes as protestors occupied the Conservative Party headquarters. There are plans to raise the student tuition fees in England to around £9,000 a year instead of the current £3,000. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
LONDON - NOVEMBER 24: Students gather in Trafalgar Square protesting against planned increases in tuition fees and maintenance grant cuts on November 24, 2010 in London, United Kingdom. A student march earlier in the month saw violent scenes as protestors occupied the Conservative Party headquarters.There are plans to raise the student tuition fees in England to around £9,000 a year instead of the current £3,000. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
LONDON - NOVEMBER 24: Students march up Whitehall protesting against planned increases in tuition fees and maintenance grant cuts on November 24, 2010 in London, United Kingdom. A student march earlier in the month saw violent scenes as protestors occupied the Conservative Party headquarters. There are plans to raise the student tuition fees in England to around £9,000 a year instead of the current £3,000. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
Students protest against an increase in university tuition fees, in Trafalgar Square, central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday November 24, 2010. See PA story EDUCATION Fees. Photo credit should read: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire
Students protest against an increase in university tuition fees, in Trafalgar Square, central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday November 24, 2010. See PA story EDUCATION Fees. Photo credit should read: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire
Students from Sussex Coast College in Hastings, East Sussex, take to the streets in Hastings to protest against proposed rises in university tuition fees. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday November 24, 2010. See PA story EDUCATION Fees. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
24 November 2010
Protesters attacked a police van today as crowds swelled during angry demonstrations against rising university tuition fees.
A group of young men leapt on to the roof, smashed the windscreen, daubed it with a slogan and hurled sticks at the vehicle which was parked in the middle of Whitehall, central London.
The mob surrounded the Metropolitan Police van close to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where they pulled off wing mirrors and daubed it with graffiti.
A handful of young women could be seen attempting to stop further damage as a man urinated on one front wheel.
Witnesses said a smoke bomb was thrown inside the van as protesters, some covering their faces with scarves, hit the windows with wooden sticks.
Several fireworks were let off nearby, greeted by cheers and whistles, as a light was smashed on the back of the vehicle.
The van was abandoned a short distance from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) where Met boss Sir Paul Stephenson has been giving a speech on terrorism.
In other areas of Whitehall there was a party atmosphere, with students jumping up and down to dance music as helicopters hovered overhead.
The protest has been dubbed Day X, with parents, teachers and trade unionists invited to join students.
Many of the rallies have been organised by the Education Activist Network and the campaign group Youth Fight For Jobs.
Witnesses said a smoke bomb was thrown inside the van as protesters, some covering their faces with scarves, hit the windows with wooden sticks.
Several fireworks were let off nearby, greeted by cheers and whistles, as a light was smashed on the back of the vehicle.
The van was abandoned a short distance from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) where Met boss Sir Paul Stephenson has been giving a speech on terrorism.
In other areas of Whitehall there was a party atmosphere, with students jumping up and down to dance music as helicopters hovered overhead.
The protest has been dubbed Day X, with parents, teachers and trade unionists invited to join students.
Many of the rallies have been organised by the Education Activist Network and the campaign group Youth Fight For Jobs.
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