Trouble has broken out at the Million Mask March, with protesters throwing missiles and setting off fireworks and flares in central London. A police car was set alight and its windscreen smashed near Green Park as thousands of anti-capitalist campaigners flowed past the capital's landmarks wearing the trademark Guido masks synonymous with the Anonymous hacking group. What started off as a peaceful protest descended into violence as activists clashed with officers. Some protesters were treated for bloody injuries and were given first aid at the scene.
There was a sudden surge of activity about half an hour into the event, as several people at the front broke off and ran towards the Churchill War Rooms. Crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace, a long way from the agreed route. Some tried to enter Great George Street, a short distance from Conservative Party headquarters, which was closed off. A line of police and mounted officers formed a barrier against the densely packed protesters, some screaming about inequality. Stray bottles were thrust over the barriers towards officers, which was met with cheers and chants of "Shame on you, we're human too."
Million Mask March in 50 Pictures
(01 of50)
An anti-capitalist protester wearing a Guy Fawkes mask holds a placard as he stands alongside a burning police car during the 'Million Masks March', organised by the group Anonymous, in London on November 5, 2015. The protest was held on the night of Britain's Guy Fawkes Night, and many of the marchers wore the white masks of the man who plotted to blow up parliament in 1605, now associated with Anonymous. AFP PHOTO / JACK TAYLOR (Photo credit should read JACK TAYLOR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JACK TAYLOR via Getty Images)
(02 of50)
A police car is attacked and set on fire near Scotland Yard - The annual Million Mask March bonfire night protest started in Trafalgar Square and headed to Westminster where it splintered. (credit:Rex)
(03 of50)
A photographer lays on the floor, after being hit by an Aston Martin which was surrounded by protestors in Lower Grosvenor Place, near Victoria in London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(04 of50)
A man is detained by police on Regent Street in London during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
(05 of50)
A police car is attacked and set on fire near Scotland Yard - The annual Million Mask March bonfire night protest started in Trafalgar Square and headed to Westminster where it splintered. (credit:Rex)
(06 of50)
Anti-capitalist protesters wearing Guy Fawkes masks clash with British police officers during the 'Million Masks March', organised by the group Anonymous, near the Houses of Parliament in London on November 5, 2015. The protest was held on the night of Britain's Guy Fawkes Night, and many of the marchers wore the white masks of the man who plotted to blow up parliament in 1605, now associated with Anonymous. AFP PHOTO / JACK TAYLOR (Photo credit should read JACK TAYLOR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JACK TAYLOR via Getty Images)
(07 of50)
A police car is attacked and set on fire near Scotland Yard - The annual Million Mask March bonfire night protest started in Trafalgar Square and headed to Westminster where it splintered. (credit:Rex)
(08 of50)
An anti-capitalist protester wearing a Guy Fawkes mask holds placards as he stands alongside adamaged British police car during the 'Million Masks March', organised by the group Anonymous, in London on November 5, 2015. The protest was held on the night of Britain's Guy Fawkes Night, and many of the marchers wore the white masks of the man who plotted to blow up parliament in 1605, now associated with Anonymous. AFP PHOTO / JACK TAYLOR (Photo credit should read JACK TAYLOR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JACK TAYLOR via Getty Images)
(09 of50)
An anti-capitalist protesters wearing a Guy Fawkes mask carries a traffic cone during the 'Million Masks March' protest march, organised by the group Anonymous, as it passes Parliament Square in London on November 5, 2015. The protest was held on the night of Britain's Guy Fawkes Night, and many of the marchers wore the white masks of the man who plotted to blow up parliament in 1605, now associated with Anonymous. AFP PHOTO / JACK TAYLOR (Photo credit should read JACK TAYLOR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JACK TAYLOR via Getty Images)
(10 of50)
Anti-capitalist protesters wearing Guy Fawkes masks hold placards at the start of the 'Million Masks March', organised by the group Anonymous, at Trafalgar Square in London on November 5, 2015. The protest was held on the night of Britain's Guy Fawkes Night, and many of the marchers wore the white masks of the man who plotted to blow up parliament in 1605, now associated with Anonymous. AFP PHOTO / JACK TAYLOR (Photo credit should read JACK TAYLOR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JACK TAYLOR via Getty Images)
(11 of50)
Anti-capitalist protesters wearing Guy Fawkes masks clash with British police during the 'Million Masks March', organised by the group Anonymous, near the Houses of Parliament in central London on November 5, 2015. The protest was held on the night of Britain's Guy Fawkes Night, and many of the marchers wore the white masks of the man who plotted to blow up parliament in 1605, now associated with Anonymous. AFP PHOTO / JACK TAYLOR (Photo credit should read JACK TAYLOR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JACK TAYLOR via Getty Images)
(12 of50)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Masked protesters walk towards Buckingham Palace during the Million Mask March on November 5, 2015 in London, England. The annual anti-establishment protest is organised by activist group Anonymous and is one of hundreds expected to take place in cities across the globe this evening. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images) (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(13 of50)
Police officers look at a vandalised police car on Queen Anne's Gate in central London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(14 of50)
Protestors surround an Aston Martin in Lower Grosvenor Place, near Victoria in London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(15 of50)
Police on horses outside Buckingham Palace in London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
(16 of50)
A photographer lays on the floor, after being hit by an Aston Martin which was surrounded by protestors in Lower Grosvenor Place, near Victoria in London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(17 of50)
A vandalised police car on Queen Anne's Gate in central London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Ryan Hooper/PA Wire)
(18 of50)
An Aston Martin on Lower Grosvenor Place, near Victoria in London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(19 of50)
Protestors surround an Aston Martin on Lower Grosvenor Place, near Victoria in London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(20 of50)
A police car which was set on fire on Queen Anne's Gate in central London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Ryan Hooper/PA Wire)
(21 of50)
Protestors demonstrate in Trafalgar Square, London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(22 of50)
Protestors demonstrate near Parliament Square, London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
(23 of50)
Protestors demonstrate near the Houses of Parliament in London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
(24 of50)
A protester with a flare demonstrates near Parliament Square, London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(25 of50)
A large police presence outside Buckingham Palace during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(26 of50)
Protestors set off fireworks in Trafalgar Square, London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
(27 of50)
A masked protester wears a traffic cone on their head during the Million Mask March on November 5, 2015 in London, England. (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(28 of50)
Masked demonstrators holds a flare during the Million Mask protest march in London on Thursday Nov. 5, 2015. (credit:Tim Ireland/AP)
(29 of50)
Protestors demonstrate in Parliament Square, London, during the Million Mask March bonfire night protest organised by activist group Anonymous. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
(30 of50)
A masked protester stands in front of the National Portrait Gallery ahead of the Million Mask March in Trafalgar Square on November 5, 2015 in London, England. (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(31 of50)
A masked protester holds up a sign saying 'We Are Many' during the Million Mask March in Trafalgar Square on November 5, 2015 in London, England. (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(32 of50)
Masked protester blows smoke during the Million Mask March in Trafalgar Square on November 5, 2015 in London, England. (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(33 of50)
A masked protester looks at the camera during the Million Mask March in Trafalgar Square on November 5, 2015 in London, England. (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(34 of50)
Anti-capitalist protesters wearing Guy Fawkes masks hold placards as they gather at Trafalgar Square ahead of the 'Million Masks March', organised by the group Anonymous, in London on November 5, 2015. (credit:JACK TAYLOR via Getty Images)
(35 of50)
Masked protesters turns to look at the camera during the Million Mask March in Trafalgar Square on November 5, 2015 in London, England. (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(36 of50)
A masked protester argues with police during the Million Mask March in Trafalgar Square on November 5, 2015 in London, England. (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(37 of50)
Masked protesters take a selfie in front of the Houses of Parliament during the Million Mask March in Trafalgar Square on November 5, 2015 in London, England. (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(38 of50)
Masked demonstrators gather in Trafalgar Square in central London during the Million Mask protest march on Thursday Nov. 5, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(39 of50)
Masked protesters are stopped by a police line during the Million Mask March in Trafalgar Square on November 5, 2015 in London, England. (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
(40 of50)
Masked demonstrators gather near Trafalgar Square in central London during the Million Mask protest march on Thursday Nov. 5, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(41 of50)
Police try and block masked demonstrators as they march in central London during the Million Mask protest march on Thursday Nov. 5, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(42 of50)
Police try and block masked demonstrators as they march from Parliament Square in central London during the Million Mask protest march on Thursday Nov. 5, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(43 of50)
Police try and block masked demonstrators as they march in central London during the Million Mask protest march on Thursday Nov. 5, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(44 of50)
Police try and block masked demonstrators as they march in central London during the Million Mask protest march on Thursday Nov. 5, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(45 of50)
Mounted police take to the streets to confront demonstrators marching in central London during the Million Mask protest march on Thursday Nov. 5, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(46 of50)
Police try and block masked demonstrators as they march from Parliament Square in central London during the Million Mask protest march on Thursday Nov. 5, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(47 of50)
Police try and block masked demonstrators as they march in central London during the Million Mask protest march on Thursday Nov. 5, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(48 of50)
Police try and block masked demonstrators as they march in central London during the Million Mask protest march on Thursday Nov. 5, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(49 of50)
Police try and block masked demonstrators as they march in central London during the Million Mask protest march on Thursday Nov. 5, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(50 of50)
A masked demonstrator reaches out to greet a police officer blocking his way during the Million Mask protest march in London on Thursday Nov. 5, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
READ MORE:
- Anonymous Targets Amazon HQ In Million Mask March Protest
- Westminster On Lockdown As Police Gear Up For Mass Protest
- Brand Joins 'Revolution' Protest While Thousands Clash With Police
- Farage To Brand - 'We're Not So Different, You And I'... 'PARKLIFE!'
- Anonymous Protest Stops Traffic In Trafalgar Square