G20 activists charged with imitating police

Activists who drove an armoured vehicle painted with black and white livery and the word "riot" to the G20 demonstrations in the City of London have been charged with impersonating police.

The seven men and four women were arrested at the height of protests during the summit of world leaders on 1 April. Their bright blue Alvis Saracen vehicle, owned by the Space Hijackers group, was stopped outside Royal Bank of Scotland's offices in Bishopsgate.

Some of those inside the six-wheeled Saracen, which has a gun turret, were photographed wearing blue overalls and helmets similar to police uniforms. In total, 20 people were charged with offences after the two-day protest. An investigation was launched after a series of angry clashes, including a raid on another branch of RBS in Threadneedle Street, beside the Bank of England. A police spokesman said that the 11 protesters had been bailed to appear before City of London magistrates early next month.