Scores of officers injured in clashes with protesters

Anti-globalisation activists have clashed with police across the German port city of Hamburg, leaving scores of officers injured.

Responding to a second day of protests as world leaders attended the G20 summit, police ordered in more than 900 additional officers from across the country.

At least 196 police officers were injured, dozens of activists had to be taken to hospital and more than 70 protesters were detained.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the violent protests.

“I have every understanding for peaceful demonstrations,” Mrs Merkel said.

“But violent demonstrations endanger human lives, they endanger people themselves, they put police officers and security forces in danger, put residents in danger, and so that is unacceptable.”

She thanked security forces for their work as the G20 met behind a heavy police presence in a no-go zone that was off-limits to most.

Thousands of officers in full riot gear patrolled as many as 30 different protest marches.

Most of the demonstrations were peaceful and creative, but some rioters threw petrol bombs, iron rods and cobble stones.

More than 20,000 officers were on hand to guard the city’s streets, skies and waterways. Police trucks blasted protesters back with water cannons, and officers physically dragged away a group holding a sit-in at the entrance to the summit grounds.

Later yesterday, activists attempted to get near Hamburg’s highly protected philharmonic hall, where international leaders were listening to a concert and had dinner together.

Greenpeace boats blasted music toward the performance hall to disrupt the leaders’ meeting there.

Picture: Getty Images. G20 protesters with their faces covered use bonfires to block roads last night during clashes with police.