Peaceful protesters on Saturday’s anti-cuts marsh chanted “Shame on you” at the violent yobs who attempted to gatecrash their demonstration.
The 300-strong mob smashed up banks, lit fires in the street and chucked missiles at police.
The group were stopped by law-abiding marchers who demanded an end to the violence.
One peaceful protester shouted: “We’re here to fight the Government, not the police… go home.”
Around 400,000 people took to the streets of London to take part in the peaceful March for the Alternative.
But a separate group of anarchists wearing masks and hoods set off fireworks in Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street and Regent Street.
Activists even set on fire a 20ft puppet of a Trojan horse, a symbol of revolution.
A total of 35 people, including five police officers, were reported injured. Sixteen had needed hospital treatment.
One onlooker said they saw a police officer on the ground injured.
“People were throwing fireworks into the crowd. It looked like one hit the ground and went into his face,” the onlooker said.
Shops like HMV, Boots, Topshop, McDonald’s and Dorothy Perkins were hit with bricks and paint-bombs.
Protesters even tried to smash their way into The Ritz.
But police paid tribute to the peaceful majority. Teachers, nurses and students marched towards Hyde Park via Central London with banners, balloons and whistles.
They were joined by steel bands, choirs, performers and dancers.
Royal wedding concerns
Meanwhile, police are considering using stop and search powers to stop troublemakers disrupting the royal wedding.
Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme Metropolitan Police Commander Bob Broadhurst said: “We are looking specifically at the royal wedding and what we can to do prevent Saturday’s disorder and violence creeping in to that event.
“We always look at our powers to try to quell violence before it happens.”
