Anarchists are students, NHS staff and union members

The "Black Bloc" anarchists who rampaged through London smashing shops and banks comprise trade union members, students and health workers.

Masked thugs used road signs to smash windows at The Ritz in Piccadilly and attacked police officers with light bulbs filled with ammonia.

Writing on a Black Bloc Facebook page, a member calling himself Sam Batez Batey said: "Hahahahahahaha just heard that the royal wedding is up for destruction next, I can't wait." Members of Whitechapel Anarchist Group, Riseup East, and the disparate collective of Black Bloc members were involved in Saturday's protests.

Extremists broke away from the march with estimates of up to 400,000 taking part and called for banks and shops around the West End to be occupied. Today an anarchist involved in the Black Bloc demonstration, who refused to give his full name, said most members held mainstream day jobs.

James, 23, a University of London graduate from Brixton, who acted as a scout during the protests, said: "People I know who take part in the Black Bloc are members of mainstream trade unions, students, health workers and squatters."

Meanwhile a row was also developing over the role of UKUncut in the demonstrations, after more than 100 supporters were charged with aggravated trespass after invading Fortnum & Mason.

The anti-capitalist organisation has tried to keep the identities of its spokesmen secret, with its leader also previously using the pseudonym Sam Baker.