This morning, Metropolitan Police officers responded to reports of an altercation outside the Iranian Embassy in London. Two people were injured in the incident and seven arrested
Seven men have been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm after two people were left injured when a protest outside the Iranian Embassy in London descended into violence.
Metropolitan Police officers responded to reports of an altercation in Princes Gate in Knightsbridge, west London, shortly after 9.50am on Friday, a force spokesperson said. Two men were treated for injuries at the scene by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) before one was taken to a major trauma centre and the other to hospital. The incident is thought to have involved protesters from “the pro and anti-Iranian regime”, the Met said.
Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. The seven arrested men, whose ages have not yet been given, currently remain in police custody.
Officers remain at the scene and the area has been cordoned off while initial investigations take place. Police have imposed conditions to stop protestors from gathering in the area until 1pm on Sunday.
One man was arrested and taken into custody on suspicion of breaching the conditions. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Officers are on scene in Princes Gate, SW1 following an altercation during a protest.
“They were called to the location at 09:53hrs on Friday, 20 June. Conditions have since been put in place to prevent serious disorder. This stops protestors from gathering in the area until 13:00hrs on Sunday, 22 June.
“One man has been taken into police custody after he was arrested on suspicion of breaching the above conditions. Seven other men remain in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.
“The two men treated at the scene by the London Ambulance Service are in hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.”
An LAS spokesperson said: “We were called at 9.56am today (June 20) to reports of an assault in Princes Gate, SW7. We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, paramedics in fast response cars and our Tactical Response Unit. We treated two patients at the scene and took one to hospital and one to a major trauma centre.”
Footage shared on social media appeared to show two men lying on the ground in a fenced-off section of the road. One man, who was shirtless, had blood covering his nose and mouth, while the other man lay motionless clutching his left leg and ankle, with police officers attending both individuals.
A number of national embassies are located on or near Prince’s Gate, including the Embassy of The Islamic Republic of Iran.