THREE protesters have been arrested after a police officer was punched in a busy shopping centre.

Masked demonstrators became “aggressive” as a peaceful protest took place on the Isle of Dogs, central London, this afternoon.

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Police said that a small group made their way into the Canary Wharf shopping centre before becoming hostile towards officers.

Following the unrest, cops ordered crowds to remove their masks under Section 60 AA and called in reinforcements.

A Section 35 was also put in place, forcing demonstrators to leave the area.

Shocking footage on social media showed cops tackling protesters to the ground.

The Met confirmed arrests had been made for common assault, possession of drugs and assault on police.

In a statement, the force said: “We have been facilitating peaceful anti-asylum protest on the Isle of Dogs this afternoon.

“Protesters, including some masked, moved into the Canary Wharf shopping centre where a small group became aggressive towards cops.

“We are aware there are young children in the protest area.

“While we deal with any criminality our officers are ensuring the safety of them is paramount.

“One of our officers was punched in the face – luckily they have not suffered significant injury.”

Yesterday, five people were arrested after demonstrators tried to force their way into a migrant hotel in West Drayton, west London.

The Met said a group of masked men attempted to force their way into the Crowne Plaza hotel following peaceful protests.

Nationwide protests were sparked after the landmark ruling to boot migrants out of the Bell Hotel in Essex was overturned.

Epping Forest District Council last week won a bid at the High Court to block migrants from being housed at the hotel.

The temporary injunction meant that the building has to be cleared of its occupants by September 12.

But on Friday, the Court of Appeal overturned the injunction following an appeal by the Home Office and hotel owners Somani.

The latest ruling means the migrants can stay where they are for the time being.

And demonstrations have since continued to spread, with 19 councils vowing to take legal action to boot asylum seekers out of hotels.

The hotel in Essex, has been at the centre of protests after two of its guests were charged with sexual offences.

Angie Claire, 56, who has five grandchildren aged under seven, was protesting outside the building on Friday night.

She told the Sun: “I think it’s absolutely disgusting for the safety of the children in the area.

“I’ve got nothing against immigrants but when they’re causing trouble and problems with our children, they need to be moved on.

“I think they should go home. Why should our government be funding all of this? I think it’s disgusting.

“My children grew up here and they were safe. We never had a worry in the world.

“Now there’s a fear of our children even walking out the front doors so I think it’s best they go.”

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