London police scuffle with anti-lockdown protesters as 33 people arrested

Hundreds of demonstrators defy Covid-19 restrictions at gathering in Hyde Park

Metropolitan Police officers detain a man during a protest in Hyde Park, London, against England’s lockdown. Reuters

London police said on Saturday they arrested dozens of people after thousands turned out in the British capital to protest against ongoing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

The Metropolitan Police Service said it made 33 arrests by early evening, most for breaking regulations that forbid leaving home for all but a handful of reasons.

Scuffles broke out as anti-lockdown protesters marched through central London on Saturday, defying police warnings to stay away.

Several thousand people were estimated to have gathered for the demonstrations, which began in Hyde Park.

From there, the crowd marched through the city and a group of about 100 returned to the park. Scuffles broke out and bottles and cans were thrown at police.

“Our officers are continuing to engage with people attending the ongoing protests in Central London,” the force said earlier on Twitter.

“Those gathering in crowds are being encouraged to disperse and go home.

“Officers will take enforcement action where necessary. This could be a fixed penalty notice, or arrest.”

Under England’s social distancing rules it is illegal for groups to gather for the purpose of protest, but there was rising opposition to such measures last week.

Police were criticised for using heavy-handed tactics to break up an outdoor vigil for 33-year-old Sarah Everard on March 13. A Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with her kidnap and murder.

There were three consecutive nights of protest in London, fuelled by the police reaction to the memorial and anger about government plans to tighten the law on demonstrations.

“While we are still in a pandemic we continue to urge people to avoid mass gatherings, in line with wider coronavirus restrictions,” a Home Office spokeswoman said.

England's stay-at-home order will remain in place until March 29 at the earliest.