'The world is going to think 2012 will be chaos'

The relay was repeatedly halted as protesters tried to snatch or douse the flame, until extra police officers were drafted in to protect the runners, obscuring the view for onlookers.

Grandmother Edith Brown, 68, of Bromley, had hoped to watch as the torch was carried through Bloomsbury. She said: "We came with our grandchildren because we thought it would be a fun day out. But we could hardly see anything. We weren't even sure if it had come past. All we saw were Chinese men in tracksuits. It was a real shame. We're not interested in the political side of things but it has spoiled the event."

Her husband, Anthony Brown, 69, said: "It's going to make London look ridiculous. We're supposed to be hosting the Olympics ourselves. Everyone will think it's going to descend into chaos when it's our turn."

Accountant John Williams, 45, from Brighton, said he was disappointed the event had been overshadowed by protest.

He said: "Everyone has a right to make a point, but I don't think something like this should become so political. It's just distracted from the spirit of it. It's a shame that we didn't see the torch with all the security men."

Student Hoffen He, 27, who came from China to study in London, said: "It's been quite stressful standing here listening to all the protesters shouting about China. Everybody has a free right to make their point, but they do things like this and it meant we could not see the torch."

Meanwhile, demonstrators defended their protests and criticised police for their handling of the event.

Philippa Carrick, chief executive of the Tibet Society of the UK, said: "We have cooperated with the police but they have made sure we were pushed right back.

"People were outraged. The way the police formed a massive cordon around us and arrested people made us seem like a violent mob.

"This is a peaceful protest and some people have just come to wave a Tibetan flag. We have a point to make and it's especially important now considering what is going on in Tibet.

"Just think what the Chinese are going to make of it when this is beamed around the world."