Boris Johnson condemns 'unacceptable' attack on Cereal Killer Cafe in anti-gentrification protest

Boris Johnson has condemned the protesters who attacked a a cereal cafe in east London during an anti-gentrification demonstration.

The Mayor of London was reacting to the pre-planned protest on Saturday night, during which a group of the demonstrators wearing pig masks and carrying flaming torches began throwing missiles and causing damage to shops and other businesses in and around Brick Lane and then in Shoreditch.

On Monday, Johnson tweeted his anger at the violence, saying: "small businesses like @CerealKillerUK are lifeblood of London's thriving economy - any violent protest is unacceptable."

The owners of the Cereal Killer Cafe, on whose windows the word 'scum' was daubed, said it was a "terrifying" experience for staff.

Co-owner Alan Keery, 33, said: "They see us as one of the biggest symbols of gentrification in the area."

The cafe boss, from Belfast, who runs the establishment with his twin brother Gary, said it was "absurd" that activists were targeting their shop, which they said was just a small business.

"It's bullying at its best," he said.

Children were in the cafe at the time, but staff and customers were unharmed when the "angry mob of 200" attacked, the cafe's Twitter account said.

The owners said: "We started a business to deliver an experience to cereal lovers, and have been thanked by local businesses for bringing tourists to the area.

"The mob won't win, wearing masks with pitchforks and torches, it's 2015."

One person was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, Scotland Yard said, while an officer suffered a minor injury to his face as a result of a thrown bottle.