19 January 2012 Last updated at 09:43 ET

Protesters and police clash at Liverpool Town Hall

Protesters gathered outside Liverpool Town Hall

Six people were arrested outside Liverpool Town Hall as the city council met to debate budget cuts.

Protesters claimed a number of police officers had charged at a group of demonstrators on a street outside the Town Hall on Wednesday evening.

Merseyside Police said five males and a woman had been arrested and two police officers had sustained minor injuries.

The force said it was "committed to facilitating peaceful protest" and was reviewing CCTV footage.

'Screamed in'

One woman and a 17-year-old male youth were arrested on suspicion of obstructing police and a 19-year-old man from the city centre was arrested on suspicion of public order offences.

A 21-year-old man from West Derby, a 34-year-old man from Toxteth and a 17-year-old male from Crosby were arrested on suspicion of public order offences.

One of the protesters, Phil Dickens, said that police had "screamed in hitting people".

He said: "The result was that around seven people were arrested, whilst one comrade came out of it with a bloody nose.

"The police refused to say what the charges were or even where those arrested would be taken."

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "Merseyside Police has not currently received any complaints about the evening's policing.

"The force is committed to facilitating peaceful protest and has launched an investigation into the incidents.

"CCTV is being examined and witnesses are being sought."

Liverpool City Council needs to save £50m from its budget for 2012/13.

Proposals the council debated included the ending of school uniform grants and funding for young people with mental health problems.