Police Charge 149 Over London Mayhem - Sky News

6:35am UK, Monday March 28, 2011

Police have charged 149 people over weekend disorder which followed the peaceful protest by hundreds of thousands of people against the Government's spending cuts.

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Approximately 201 people were arrested after trouble flared late into the night following the day-time demonstration in central London on Saturday.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers arrested 145 people in connection with the incident at the Fortnum & Mason store in the West End.

By late Sunday 138 people were charged with aggravated trespass and have been bailed to appear at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on various dates from May 9.

The remaining seven have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Rioters targeted specific stores in the Piccadilly area of London

Read more about Saturday's mass protest and subsequent rioting.

Two other people are due before the same court today - one charged with possession of an offensive weapon and another charged with violent disorder and assault on a police officer.

Seven others were charged and bailed to appear at the same court from May 9, one was charged under Section 4 Public Order Act, another was charged with drunk and disorderly, two were charged with assault on a police officer and three were charged with criminal damage.

Fireman tries to extinguish a fire lit by rioters

The first two were charged on Saturday.

Omar Ibrahim, 31, of Baillieston, Glasgow, was charged with violent disorder and assault on police outside Topshop in Oxford Street.

He was bailed to appear at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court in May.

A 17-year-old boy from Manchester will face charges of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and going equipped for criminal damage.

UK Uncut targeted the upmarket shop

He was bailed to appear at West London Youth Court on April 4.

Three further people were cautioned for criminal damage, and two people were released with no further action.

While 47 people have been bailed to return to various London police stations over the coming few days and weeks, the force said.