(image source: The Mirror)

BY ALLEX CONLEY

In London, thousands of students are marching to protest increasing tuition fees. But controversy surrounds the march as Scotland Yard gave officers permission to be armed with plastic bullets. RT reports.

The Guardian reports police are say they’re trying to prevent a repeat of the rioting and violence from last winter’s tuition riots.  

But a protester tells the BBC there’s no reason for police to turn to violence to keep protesters away.

But Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stephen Kavanagh told The Telegraph, police prepared for quote “mass disorder”. He defends the use of plastic bullets - and armored vehicles known as “Jankels”.

“Through the night the Commissioner did absolutely consider that as one of the tactics available to use, ... if deemed necessary. … It’s quite shocking for the people of London to see that's what we have to do.”

But Jenny Jones, a Green party member of the London Assembly is disgusted by the situation saying Police arming themselves with any kind of bullets - is brutal.

“The prospect of the police shooting at unarmed demonstrators with any kind of bullet is frankly appalling, un-British and reminiscent of scenes currently being used by murderous dictatorships in the Middle East."

And  writer for The Cambridge Student warns that the bullets have a history of destruction.

“They were used by security forces in Northern Ireland from 1973 during the height of the Troubles, but proved controversial - 14 people, including seven children, died after being struck with the theoretically non-lethal bullets.”