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| Police release torch protesters | Police release torch protesters |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The 37 people arrested during clashes between pro-Tibet protesters and police as the Olympic torch made its way through London have been released. | The 37 people arrested during clashes between pro-Tibet protesters and police as the Olympic torch made its way through London have been released. |
| Three were bailed and the rest were cautioned, given fixed penalty notices or released with no further action. | Three were bailed and the rest were cautioned, given fixed penalty notices or released with no further action. |
| Protests over China's human rights record began soon after the relay began at Wembley, and prompted an increasing police presence through the city. | Protests over China's human rights record began soon after the relay began at Wembley, and prompted an increasing police presence through the city. |
| Police have denied claims that they were heavy-handed with some protesters. | Police have denied claims that they were heavy-handed with some protesters. |
| See a map of the torch relay route | See a map of the torch relay route |
| Metropolitan Police Commander Bob Broadhurst said the 37 arrests were for "minor" public order offences, committed by a "relatively small number of people". | Metropolitan Police Commander Bob Broadhurst said the 37 arrests were for "minor" public order offences, committed by a "relatively small number of people". |
| "I don't think we were heavy-handed at all," he said, stressing that the role of officers was to maintain safety and order while thousands of people were on the streets of London. | "I don't think we were heavy-handed at all," he said, stressing that the role of officers was to maintain safety and order while thousands of people were on the streets of London. |
| I don't think we were heavy-handed at all Bob BroadhurstMetropolitan Police Commander In pictures: Olympic Torch relayFlashpoints on torch route | I don't think we were heavy-handed at all Bob BroadhurstMetropolitan Police Commander In pictures: Olympic Torch relayFlashpoints on torch route |
| He also pointed out that the vast majority of demonstrators were peaceful and well behaved. | He also pointed out that the vast majority of demonstrators were peaceful and well behaved. |
| The torch was lit in Olympia, Greece, last week and will go through 20 countries before being carried into the Beijing Games opening ceremony on 8 August. | The torch was lit in Olympia, Greece, last week and will go through 20 countries before being carried into the Beijing Games opening ceremony on 8 August. |
| In Paris, where the torch will be paraded on Monday and further protests are expected, the police chief has said the flame will be protected like a head of state. | In Paris, where the torch will be paraded on Monday and further protests are expected, the police chief has said the flame will be protected like a head of state. |
| For Sunday's relay in London, a protective ring of 10 Chinese flame attendants and fluorescent-jacketed police officers surrounded the torchbearers at all times, with additional uniformed officers joining at potential flashpoints along the route. | |
| Police said there were about 500 people in Whitehall and about 2,000 gathered near the British Museum. | Police said there were about 500 people in Whitehall and about 2,000 gathered near the British Museum. |
| Throughout the 31-mile route, several scuffles broke out as police tackled some protesters who attempted to disrupt the torch's progress, including one man who attempted to grab it from television presenter Konnie Huq. | Throughout the 31-mile route, several scuffles broke out as police tackled some protesters who attempted to disrupt the torch's progress, including one man who attempted to grab it from television presenter Konnie Huq. |
| The route was abruptly changed a couple of times by police to avoid potential trouble. | The route was abruptly changed a couple of times by police to avoid potential trouble. |
| Pro-China supporters were also stationed along the route, waving Chinese and Olympic flags and calling for "one China". | Pro-China supporters were also stationed along the route, waving Chinese and Olympic flags and calling for "one China". |
| LONDON TORCH RELAY 6 APRIL 1: Wembley 1030BST2: Ladbroke Grove 11003: British Museum 12204: China Town 12305: Trafalgar Square 12506: Southbank Centre 13307: Somerset House 1415 8: St Paul's Cathedral 14309: Potter's Fields 150010: Whitechapel Road 153011: Stratford 160012: Canary Wharf 170013: North Greenwich 1800 Source: Mayor of London | LONDON TORCH RELAY 6 APRIL 1: Wembley 1030BST2: Ladbroke Grove 11003: British Museum 12204: China Town 12305: Trafalgar Square 12506: Southbank Centre 13307: Somerset House 1415 8: St Paul's Cathedral 14309: Potter's Fields 150010: Whitechapel Road 153011: Stratford 160012: Canary Wharf 170013: North Greenwich 1800 Source: Mayor of London |
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