Violent protests outside Ford HQ in Germany over plant closing

Oct. 25, 2012 - Ford cars ready for export are parked at the Ford plant in Genk, Belgium. (AP)

BERLIN – Ford workers angry about the automaker's plans to shutter a plant in Belgium broke windows and burnt tires in a demonstration outside the company's European headquarters in Germany.

Cologne city police spokesman Karlo Kreitz said about 100 of the protesters were taken into temporary custody after three officers suffered minor injuries in the fracas Wednesday morning.

Police say the protesters arrived on buses from Belgium and blocked the entrance to the plant. Then a group of 20 to 40 stormed the building and threw stones through windows while others burned tires and set off firecrackers.

Ford has announced plans to shut an assembly plant in Genk, Belgium, jeopardizing some 5,000 jobs, and union representatives are currently meeting with company management in Cologne.