Protesters clash with police close to Olympic stadium

London: Police arrested a number of demonstrators close to the Olympic stadium during the opening ceremony.

Around 50 cyclists, who were thought to be taking part in the monthly Critical Mass protest cycle ride, clashed with officers in Stratford, East London.

Their numbers were understood to have been swelled by some protestors from the Occupy London anti-capitalist group.

The incident occurred on the outskirts to the Olympic Park on one of the main throughfares to the venue.

The cyclists, who take part in regular mass rides through London, usually held on the last Friday of every month, had been served with an order preventing them from taking to the streets around the Olympic Site.

But police intervened when participants allegedly breached regulations restricting their route.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: "A number of people in breach of regulations imposed on a monthly cycling event have been arrested."

Police vans headed off scores of people as the group rode in formation close to the park.

Officers blocked off their route and some were forcibly removed from their bikes as others tried to break through a cordon.

The arrested cyclists have been detained under Section 12 of the Public Order Act.

BDST: 1543 HRS, July 28, 2012
Edited by
Chanchal Ghosh, Newsroom Editor