The Metropolitan Police "pepper sprayed protesters" at a peaceful rally against a migrant hotel in east London, on Sunday.
An anti-asylum protest had taken place on the capital's Isle of Dogs before demonstrators moved into a nearby shopping centre.
Later in the day, the Met confirmed four arrests had been made for common assault by a protester on a member of the public, possession of class A and B drugs, assault on police, public order offences and failure to disperse.
"One of our officers was punched in the face - luckily they did not suffer significant injury," the force added.
PICTURED: A police officer sprays PAVA spray at the Canary Wharf protest
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Journalist Jack Hadfield had followed some protesters - the "Pink Ladies" group - into the shopping centre and recorded footage of the "pepper spraying".
"A young child seemingly took a big brunt of it as well," Mr Hadfield said, adding that Pink Ladies leader Lorraine, 70, "also received a significant amount of pepper spray".
Police later said: "We've seen some conversations about our use of PAVA spray today - here are the facts.
"Officers witnessed an assault by a protester on a member of the public inside Canary Wharf shopping centre. The suspect was immediately arrested by officers who used PAVA spray.
"We are aware other protesters and members of the public, including a child, may have been temporarily affected by the use of PAVA given the density of crowds in the area."
Pink Ladies leader Lorraine, 70, 'also received a significant amount of pepper spray', Jack Hadfield said
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Commander Adam Slonecki, in charge of policing London this weekend, said: "This afternoon we have unfortunately seen more disorder, following the five arrests made yesterday in the West Drayton area.
"We had plenty of officers on the ground who moved in swiftly to deal with the criminality that occurred inside and outside the shopping centre. We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.
"Today’s protest saw many community members attend, including women and children, and we worked to ensure the safety of those there to peacefully represent their views.
"Those who arrive at protests masked and intent on causing trouble will continue to be dealt with robustly at future protests. We remain in the area to deter any further disorder and provide reassurance to local residents and businesses.”
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Police officers outside the Canary Wharf hotel (file pic)
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Meanwhile, police also imposed restrictions ahead of a protest in Epping on Sunday evening.
The force put a Section 60AA order in place giving officers the power to order the removal of face coverings.
A dispersal order, which covers the main high street and the area surrounding the Bell, Hotel was also in place until 4am.
Protesters were filmed entering the Canary Wharf Shopping Centre
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Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said: "These restrictions are in place to prevent serious disruption to the lives of our Epping residents, which remains at the forefront of our minds, as well as to prevent serious disorder, to prevent serious violence and to prevent serious damage to property.
"The restrictions allow anyone present to lawfully protest to do so within a six-hour window and within sight and sound of the Bell Hotel.
"We’ve consistently said that we will always seek to facilitate lawful protest but that does not include a right to commit crime, and we’ll take a firm approach to anyone intent on doing that.
"And to reiterate to the public, the strength of feeling in Epping is not lost on me – or anyone in Essex Police – and I would urge anyone who wants to make their voices heard to please do that peacefully and within the parameters outlined."
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