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Clashes at ‘Kill the Bill’ protest see 10 officers injured and 26 people arrested

4 April, 2021 | Filed under: All News,more news,RECENT POSTS | Posted by:
Clashes have erupted between demonstrators and police after thousands hit London’s streets to rally against a new bill that would give sweeping powers to restrict peaceful protests.

Organisers called for a ‘National Weekend of Action’ (Picture: Getty Images/PA)

The scene in the capital was calm for most of the day, but scuffles broke out later in the evening as protesters threw projectiles and officers started pushing people. Riot police were sent to Westminster as a stand-off ensued.

At least 10 police officers were injured amid the chaos and 26 people were arrested for offences including assault on police and breach of the peace. Dozens of extra officers were sent to help unblock a road for a McDonald’s lorry which was held up outside Parliament.

At around 6.45pm, the Metropolitan Police tweeted: ‘The policing operation in Central London has now moved to the enforcement stage and arrests are being made.

‘Officers continue to engage and we urge those who remain in the area to leave and return home.’ In an earlier statement, the force said: ‘A small minority of protestors [sic] in #ParliamentSquare have not complied with the conditions of the risk assessment lodged by event organisers.

‘They are not social distancing and are putting people in danger of spreading the #Covid virus. The majority have left and we urge those remaining to listen to officers and leave the area now.

A demonstrator at a 'Kill The Bill' protest against the Government's Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill holds a smoke flare near the windows of a police van on Whitehall in central London on April 3, 2021. - The police, crime, sentencing and courts bill would give police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on peaceful protests, including those they deem to be too noisy or a nuisance to the community. Critics argue this infringes on the right to free and peaceful expression. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / AFP) (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
A demonstrator holds a smoke flare as clashes in the capital erupted (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)
A woman is detained by police during a 'Kill the Bill' protest in London, Saturday, April 3, 2021. The demonstration is against the contentious Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which is currently going through Parliament and would give police stronger powers to restrict protests. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
A woman is detained by police during today’s demonstration in London (Picture: AP)

‘Officers have made continued efforts to engage and encourage protestors to leave the area around #ParliamentSquare. ‘Despite repeated requests a small minority have not done so. Enforcement action will be taken against those who continue to flagrantly breach Covid regs.

’ As of Monday, protests became legal again under Covid rules. However, organisers must carry out risk assessments and take steps to keep people safe. In a later statement, the Met said: ‘At this stage, 26 people have been arrested for a variety of offences including assault on police and breach of the peace. In one instance, a woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after a knife was recovered. ‘The policing operation remains ongoing and this arrest total is likely to rise. Ten officers received injuries during the operation; none of these are believed to be serious.’

Source:metro.co.uk/