Police and pro-Palestine protesters at Oxford University have violently clashed in the streets of the quaint city, after students attempted to “lockdown” an administrative building.

The students entered a private office in the building on Wellington Square at around 8am and refused to leave. According to Thames Valley Police, 16 people were arrested, one of whom was detained on suspicion of common assault.

In a video posted by the Oxford Action for Palestine X account, students were seen in a stand-off with cops in the adminstrative building.

In an exchange with police, the students, all of whom appeared to be wearing surgical masks, asked whether they could leave the building.

Standing firm, an officer said: “Not for the moment, no.”

In response the students claimed they were getting up to leave as per the request of the officers, before the officers changed their mind.

One of the masked students claimed: “But you just said we were allowed to leave. You gave us a warning and we’ve stood up and we’re prepared to leave.”

The same female voice continued: “We’re prepared to leave this room.” Another male voice then asks: “And you’re blocking us in?”

In a separate clip, officers can be seen forcibly removing protesters who had been sat down on the floor. Police grabbed the protesters and told them to “move out of the way”. One of the individuals appeared to be pushed to the ground.

However, most of the activists appeared unperturbed and began chanting “let them go” at the officers.

In a statement, Thames Valley Police said: “Officers attended Wellington Square at Oxford University, at around 8am this morning (23/5) following reports that protestors had gained access to a private office within one of the buildings.

“16 people have since been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass. One of the 16 has also been arrested on suspicion of common assault.

“In addition to these arrests we dealt with protesters in the immediate vicinity of Wellington Square. Elements of this protest sought to obstruct the removal of the persons arrested. These protests have been peaceful and no arrests were made. We are still managing a small peaceful protest in the city.

“We are aware of footage circulating on social media, which show our officers using lawful, proportionate and necessary action in the difficult circumstances they faced.”