Police have struggled to keep anti-racism protesters and rival demonstrators apart during a day of unrest in central London.

As Black Lives Matter supporters gathered in Hyde Park, a crowd of people - some of them far-right activists - gathered in Parliament Square, where they were claiming to protect statues.

Despite both groups being warned that they must be off the streets by 5 pm or risk arrest, footage shows that a significant number of people defied that order.

In Parliament Square, some were accused of "thoroughly unacceptable thuggery" after they threw bottles and cans at police officers.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "Racist thuggery has no place on our streets. Anyone attacking the police will be met with full force of the law. These marches & protests have been subverted by violence and breach current guidelines. Racism has no part in the UK and we must work together to make that a reality."

Home Secretary Priti Patel added: "We have seen a small minority behave in extreme thuggery and violent behavior today.

"That is simply unacceptable and the individuals that are basically putting the safety of our police officers and the safety of the public at risk will expect to face the full force of the law."

And Metropolitan Police commander Bas Javid condemned those involved in the "pockets of violence directed towards our officers".

Sky's home affairs correspondent Mark White, in Westminster, said there was "significant disorder" at times - and six police officers have been injured.

The London Ambulance Service confirming it has treated 15 patients who were injured during the protests. Six members of the public have been taken to hospital.

As of 5 pm, five people had been arrested for offenses including violent disorder, assault on police, possession of an offensive weapon, being drunk and disorderly, and possession of Class A drugs.

Mark White said clashes broke out when anti-racism protesters came into contact with rival demonstrators.

He said that, on Westminster Bridge, there were "quite ugly" scenes as some anti-racism protesters shouted and punched out at demonstrators attempting to reach Parliament Square.

"There were some Black Lives Matter protesters who were in there trying their best to stop their fellow protesters from attacking them," he added.

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Although there have been pockets of violence, White said the police had managed to prevent "widespread and sustained disorder".

He described the demonstrators as a "disparate group" consisting of far-right activists from the English Defence League and the Football Lads Alliance, as well as members of the public and ex-servicemen and women who were genuinely concerned about statues being vandalized.

"There were some who were spoiling for trouble - just as there was on the other side among the Black Lives Matter protests last week and today," White added.

At one point, "about 150 to 200" demonstrators ran into Hyde Park, despite officers trying to keep them separate from anti-racism protesters.

Sky News correspondent Noel Phillips said a convoy of police tried to catch up with them - and said it appeared they were "intent on causing chaos and havoc".

"There was a small altercation we witnessed when they entered the park - they were fighting with a young person," he reported.

One 16-year-old who was attacked by those protesters told Sky News: "Nothing was really happening, there was no violence - and then I saw this big group of white men.

"I just went towards them and I was like 'I don't like you, you guys are racist'.

"One of the guys threw a bottle at me, some guy tripped me up, they all just ran towards me.

"I didn't care though, I kept going. They were just reckless... disgusting."

sky news