Massive Security Steels for G20 Protests

London's financial district is on lockdown ahead of a day of protests by activists and opponents of the G20, reports the Financial Times. The government will deploy up to 5,000 officers in the largest police operation in British history, and banks such as UBS have also hired private security guards to stand outside its headquarters. Many bankers arrived at work this morning in casual clothing to avoid being spotted. One worker said: "The pinstripe count is down today."

Protesters are expected to meet at four Tube stations around London and converge on the Bank of England at noon. Many business in the area have closed for the day, and some offices and shop fronts have been boarded up. Police have also bolted manholes to the ground and removed trashcans from the street to prevent rioting, but one anarchist group warned: "We are going to reclaim the city." (More protests stories.)