Riot police, protesters clash

2005-07-06 22:16

London - Riot police with attack dogs beat back demonstrators on Wednesday as thousands marched near the site of the Group of Eight summit demanding action from the world's leaders on poverty reduction and climate change.

The protesters - banging drums and blowing - marched through the narrow streets of Auchterarder to the nearby fenced-off perimeter of the Gleneagles resort.

A few hundred broke off from the main demonstration and pushed through a small barrier along the route, running across a field and surrounding a wooden police watchtower on the edge of the Gleneagles resort where leaders from G8 nations were to meet.

Although they didn't manage to scale the resort's main perimeter fence, riot police stormed after them with batons.

A handful were beaten back by police holding dogs, as reinforcements were ferried in on helicopters.

Protesters eventually retreated as police advanced.

Police said 10 people were arrested, and there were reports of only minor injuries.

By dusk, many of the demonstrators had retreated to pubs and cafes away from the summit site.

Tayside police said about 5 000 to 6 000 people had taken part in the march, although organisers put the figure at 15 000.

- AP