There were chaotic scenes in central London yesterday as police officers clashed with the police along the route of their controversial march.

The day had started peacefully as demonstrators gathered in St James Park amid a carnival atmosphere, swapping police helmets and blowing whistles as the march set off. A Conservative MP in the House of Commons calling for more ‘bobbies on the beat’ was delighted to see thousands of police walking past the window. Organisers claim that over 18,000 off-duty police officers were taking part in the demonstration, although on-duty police officers put the number of marchers at nearer 9,000. The police had promised to keep a low-key presence at the march but when so many police officers were seen along the route the mood began to turn ugly. The police say the heavy police presence was ‘unneccessary and provocative.’

As fighting broke out, police used batons and pepper spray to control themselves, while eyewitnesses claim that some officers beat themselves up in unprovoked attacks. Scores of police officers were seen being handcuffed to themselves and then being thrown into police vans. A video of a police dog attempting to bite itself has been posted on YouTube.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith condemned the police as ’ brutal lawless mob’ before praising the police for their ‘boldness and courage in the line of duty’. She also took the opportunity to announce that any prisoner officers who flout the recently announced strike ban would be sent to jail.