34 arrested during far right demo in Liverpool

Police in Liverpool said Sunday 34 people have been arrested in a clash between rival demonstrators in the city center.

One male police officer required hospital treatment after being hit by a missile thrown by a demonstrator.

Among those being held by police is a 60 year-old man arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police constable, but most of those arrested, all males, were on suspicion of offences including violent disorder and possession of offensive weapons.

A number of discarded weapons were later recovered by police officers.

Those arrested have been taken to police stations across the Merseyside area for questioning.

The main flash point between a far right group known as the North West Infidels and anti-fascist protestors was a public plateau between the city's main Lime Street railway station and historic St George's Hall. Police cordoned off the area while a number of local businesses were forced to close.

A number of Nazi swastikas were painted into the walls of the hall.

Policing into place a plan to facilitate the demonstration in the city center, but a number of counter protest groups arrived. Police officers, many in riot gear acted quickly to separate the rival groups. A number of scuffles did break out but were quickly quelled, with arrests made. Firecrackers were also thrown, causing some people to fear tear gas had been fired as smoke billowed across the plateau.

Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Holland said: "The safety of members of the public is our main priority. While we will facilitate a peaceful protest we will not tolerate disorder or criminal or anti-social behaviour."

"During the incident one of our officers was hit with a missile and was taken to hospital suffering from concussion," Holland said. Endit