Eighteen people arrested as anti-police protests turn violent in Berlin

Police in Berlin dispersed a protest on Saturday evening after around one thousand demonstrators gathered against alleged police violence.

Authorities say the rally turned violent, with at least eight officers injured as protesters attacked police and set off pyrotechnics.

Eighteen people were detained on suspicion of offences including breach of the peace, the use of banned symbols and violations of explosives laws.

Police say some suspects could not be identified because they were masked.

Local media reports that up to 500 police officers were deployed to the protest which took place in the Friedrichshain district of the city. 

They also say that it began shortly before 8 pm local time and was initially peaceful, with only "anti-police chants" heard and no criminal offences detected.

Police spokesman Martin Halweg said demonstrators then threw firecrackers and bottles at police and set off pyrotechnics. 

After loudspeaker warnings, the situation briefly calmed before banned slogans were again shouted and plastic bottles were thrown at officers.

The anti police demonstrations take place annually on 13th December. 

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