The first year I lived in London, more than 20 years ago I passed through the centre on May 1st and expected to see just some regular demonstrations of the kind I'm used to from Norway where top politicians attend and speak to the crowds. Instead I got to see the Met use horses and riot gear to corral peaceful protesters. It was the most direct demonstration of authoritarianism I'd seen in person, and it made it very clear that the Met priorities order over the people they are supposed to police with the consent of any day.

In other words: Not surprised. You have to be a bit troubled to want to work for the Met.