Thousands of protesters took part in a student demonstration in central London today.
The demonstration began peacefully when protesters gathered outside the University of London near Euston, before leaving to march through the capital shortly after noon.

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Peaceful students taking part in a march through the capital to protest against tuition fees, debt and spending cuts. 

But after it reached the Houses of Parliament the atmosphere grew more hostile, and hundreds of police and riot officers were deployed in the area.
Protesters tore down railings surrounding Parliament Square and took over the grass area, chanting in defiance over tuition fees and austerity cuts, while others wearing black bandanas let off flares as they marched through nearby streets.
Demonstrators hurled orange paint over the entrance to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills before riot police formed a cordon.

 

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Customers were also trapped inside a Starbucks coffee shop after eggs and white paint were thrown over the front window.
Riot police, some left covered in paint themselves, guarded the entrance as a group of demonstrators shouted abuse over the company's alleged tax avoidance.

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Flower pots were also thrown at police and bins were knocked over and paint thrown at a McDonald's restaurant.
Tensions mounted when a man was arrested in Victoria Street, and angry crowds hurled abuse at officers and stormed after them as they led him away.