Daily Update COVID-19: More than 60 arrests as anti-lockdown protesters clash with police in London
More than 60 people have been arrested as anti-lockdown protesters clashed with police in central London.
Hundreds of demonstrators marched through the city near Oxford Street chanting "freedom" on Saturday, with some carrying placards reading "stop controlling us" and "no more lockdowns".
The Metropolitan Police said the arrests were for a number of suspected offences including breaching coronavirus regulations and that it expected the number to rise.
LONDON ANTI-LOCKDOWN PROTEST
Protesters and police square off in central London
"We continue to urge people to go home," the force added.
Sky News reporter Ivor Bennett, who is at the scene, said there were "quite violent, aggressive clashes" between police and some protesters.
"People were letting off flares, there was red smoke and green smoke," he said.
"Police were trying to kettle the protesters in one place and break up the big group."
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Traffic was temporarily blocked on Regent Street as police attempted to handcuff people on the ground in the middle of the road.
Several people were detained by police
Police action was met with booing and chants of "shame on you" as demonstrators - many not wearing face masks - ignored requests to go home.
Other signs carried by protesters read "ditch the face masks" and "no to mandatory masks".
The Metropolitan Police said three people were arrested for allegedly breaching coronavirus restrictions at King's Cross station in London ahead of the demonstration.