British police arrest 15 people in anti-austerity protest

British police have arrested 15 people in an anti-austerity protest near Downing Street over the weekend, the Metropolitan Police said Sunday.

Twelve people were arrested on suspicion of "violent disorder" and three for "assault on police," the police said.

"One officer was treated at hospital for a suspected dislocated shoulder. A member of police staff also received hospital treatment for a cut lip after being struck by an object," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

Three other officers were assaulted but did not require hospital treatment. There were no reported injuries to any member of the public, according to the police.

"Police were aware of potential protests, and a number of small groups were monitored on Saturday afternoon as they moved around the Westminster area," Acting Commander Colin Morgan said.

"From 16:00 hours, these officers began to deal with a protest outside Downing Street. During the course of the evening, the protest in Downing Street became larger and more disorderly. A number of protesters engaged in violent disorder and, in a quick response to this escalation, at 18:17 hours a containment was put in place to prevent any further breach of the peace," he added.

Morgan noted that a large number of police officers were on duty to address any disorder.

"We respect the right of people to protest peacefully, while we must also balance the need for Londoners and visitors to go about their business, and for events such as this weekend's VE Day celebrations to be held safely," he continued.

Chief Superintendent Gerry Campbell said: "The vast majority of those protesting did so peacefully. However a small, violent minority were intent on causing disorder."

The youngest of the arrested people is a 16-year-old boy; 12 suspects are aged between 19 and 26; one is a 30-year-old man and the oldest is a 45-year-old man, according to the police.