At least 100 arrested in Copenhagen street clashes

COPENHAGEN, Mar 1 (Reuters) Danish police today arrested at least 100 people in Copenhagen in violent street clashes after authorities evicted left-wing squatters from a youth centre, a police spokesman Authorities took control of the building in the central Norrebro area in a morning raid that saw officers land on the roof in helicopters.

In the wake of the eviction, scores of demonstrators threw cobblestones at police and set makeshift barricades on fire.

Officers in riot gear chased protesters through the streets as police vans smashed through the barricades.

Clashes flared up again in the late afternoon after a call on the youth centre's Web site for a demonstration through Norrebro towards the house.

During the evening march, protesters threw bottles and bricks at the police and witnesses said they heard bangs and saw some throwing what may have been smoke bombs or fireworks.

''We estimate there are around 1,300 people in the procession ... As far as we know no one has been seriously injured so far,'' Copenhagen police spokesman Flemming Steen Munch said.

The conflict over the youth centre has been simmering since 2000 when local government sold the building to a religious group. Left-wing activist have used it as a base since 1982.

The current owners have a court order to have squatters evicted but the youths have sworn to protect the house and have repeatedly called for a political solution.

Police and demonstrators clashed several times last year during protests over the eviction order.

REUTERS SY BST2345