Protesters clash with police amid ‘community tensions’

There is still a heavy police presence on the scene after a demonstration turned violent.

Police responded to a disturbance near to the Lighthouse Theatre in Camberwell Road (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)

Protesters have clashed with police in south London after a demonstration related to “tensions in the Eritrean community”, Scotland Yard said.

Social media footage of the incident in Camberwell appeared to show protesters wielding sticks clashing with Met Police officers, bringing traffic to a standstill.

Eight people were arrested for offences including violent disorder, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon and assault on an emergency worker, the Met said.

Four officers were injured, one of whom was taken to hospital and has now been discharged.

There is still a heavy police presence on the scene in Camberwell Road, where a demonstration saw approximately 50 people gathering outside a private venue before violence broke out.

The clashes are said to have taken place near The Lighthouse Theatre.

Additional officers were called in to provide back-up, Scotland Yard said.

A dispersal order has been put in place in the area until 7am tomorrow, giving police the power to exclude a person from the area.