Protesters leapt over security barriers outside the Chinese Embassy in London today in an attempt to disrupt Wen Jiabao’s three-day visit to Britain.

Five of the pro-Tibetan demonstrators were arrested when they tried to take the Free Tibet flag to the doors of the Embassy as the Chinese Premier arrived for a brief meeting.

Firecrackers let off by embassy staff as the Premier pulled up to the front door created a few moments of confusion as smoke filled the street. Dignataries scuttled from the motorcade through the embassy’s doors amid the din, narrowly avoiding the dancing dragon.

One protester had concealed himself within the pro-Chinese group of about 100 people, who were gathered opposite a bigger crowd of people, many of whom were from the Free Tibet organisation.

But the 30-strong police presence quickly quelled the rebellion and the majority of the protest passed off peacefully and without violence.

Corralled behind metal fences, protesters waved flags bearing peace prayers and brandished placards with pro-Tibetan slogans. They chanted “Shame on China”, “Stop the torture in Tibet” and “Religious freedoms in Tibet”.

Pempalahmu Samuels, a 33-year-old primary school teacher from London, braved the freezing conditions for hours before the Chinese Premier arrived just after 12.30pm.