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indy100
indy100
National
Kate Plummer

Anti-vaccine protesters try to storm jab watchdog’s headquarters in London in shocking footage

Shocking footage and images have emerged showing a group of anti-vaccine protesters attempting to storm the UK’s jabs watchdog today.

Videos show protesters clashing with the police outside the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) headquarters in Canary Wharf, London. The police managed to block the entrance of the building, reports say.

The MHRA is an extension of the Department for Health and Social Care and is responsible for ensuring that medicines, including the coronavirus vaccines, are safe. It was the first health agency in the world to approve a vaccine.

In the videos, police can be heard shouting “move back” in an attempt to contain the crowds who also appear to throw things at them. Police also push the protestors to stop them from moving forward.

The protest comes after journalists working for ITN were trapped in their offices when a group of anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protesters forced their way into the broadcaster’s London headquarters last week.

And earlier in the month, a similar crowd tried to gain access to the BBC’s old headquarters in White City, west London.

In a tweet, the Met confirmed the incident. They said: “We have officers attending a demonstration outside a commercial building on Cabot Square in Canary Wharf. A number of officers are on scene, guarding the entrance to the building.”

Scotland Yard later added that four officers were injured in the clashes.

In a tweet, they said: “A number of protesters have become violent towards police. Four of our officers have been injured during clashes.

“This is unacceptable. We remain on scene. Updates to follow.”

A decision on whether Covid vaccinations should be extended to 12- to 15-year-olds, something anti-vaxxers undoubtedly oppose, was expected to be announced imminently at the time of the protest. They have now announced they will not be recommending the jabs for this age group but have left the final decision to Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty.

Andrew Wood, councillor for Canary Wharf, said leaflets were being handed out about the vaccination of children.

He added: “The police have been here all week because we were expecting Extinction Rebellion, so most of the police and security’s been outside the banks.

“So whether the anti-vaxxers realised this or not the police were ready for a protest, it’s just that it was anti-vaxxers not Extinction Rebellion who turned up this afternoon.”

Following the clash in Canary Wharf, troupes were spotted heading to South Kensington, the Met said. Police were waiting to intercept them at the tube station.

According to The Metro,they were heading to the Science Museum which is also used as a vaccination centre.

indy100 has contacted the Metropolitan Police for comment.

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