Kill the Bill: Arrests at protests as anger mounts over policing bill | ITV News

The Metropolitan Police said arrests had been made "for a variety of offences" including assault on police and breach of the peace.

The force said one woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after a knife was recovered.

Scuffles broke out between officers and protesters outside Parliament, projectiles were thrown as police pushed demonstrators away and at least one officer was injured.

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Thousands took part in largely peaceful protests across the country on Saturday, voicing their opposition to the government's proposed policing bill.

Dozens of police with riot helmets arrived in Westminster shortly afterwards as those at the march continued to stand off with officers. Protesters booed police and chanted "shame on you" at officers.

The London protest was one of many taking place around the country on Saturday.

London, Bristol, Newcastle, Cardiff, and Manchester were among the cities that saw action, with other marches held on Friday.

The controversial policing bill would give police power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance, with those convicted liable to fines or jail terms.

Events were largely peaceful throughout the day.

A Kill the Bill protest in Bristol last month turned violent, with clashes between police and protesters.

Around 5,000 people gathered again in Bristol on Saturday, for the fifth Kill the Bill demonstration in the city centre in the past two weeks.

Protesters briefly held up traffic on the M32 motorway in the city on Saturday night.

Police were forced to close the road but was cleared and reopened within 30 minutes.

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In the latest easing of lockdown restrictions in England, protests are now lawful once again - providing organisers submit a risk assessment and take steps to ensure the gatherings are safe.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn spoke to the crowds in London.

In a tweet he posted ahead of the demonstration he said the right to fight injustices and to give “a voice to those often unheard” is “once again under threat from a dangerous bill which effectively criminalises peaceful protest”.

He said: “The right to protest is precious.

“Protest movements make history, from the eight-hour working day to the vote for women to the right for equal pay, the rights we take for granted had to be won through protest.

“We took them – they weren’t handed to us by the rich and powerful.”

Commander Ade Adelekan, who led the Metropolitan Police's operation, said: “The vast majority of people who turned out in central London today did so while adhering to social distancing. They engaged with my officers when required and left when asked – I would like to thank them for doing so.
“However, a small minority did not engage despite the repeated efforts of officers on the ground. This left us with no option but to move to an enforcement stage and arrests have been made.
“This has been another challenging day for officers on the ground and I want to thank them for their efforts throughout the course of today.
“We remain in the middle of a global pandemic and we have made great progress in controlling the spread of the virus; we will not allow the selfish actions of a small number of people to put Londoners progress in jeopardy.”

In Newcastle several hundred people gathered beneath Grey’s Monument before marching through the city centre.

At the Civic Centre many took the knee and held a minute’s silence for victims of oppression, after which a round of applause broke out.

There was a low-key response to the city centre gathering from Northumbria Police.

More than 100 people arrested at London Kill the Bill protest

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The Metropolitan Police said 107 people were arrested in London on Saturday as demonstrations were held across England against plans to increase police powers.

Thousands of people marched in towns and cities in protest against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, despite the Covid-19 lockdown.

The proposed legislation would give police in England and Wales more powers to impose conditions on non-violent protests – including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance, with those convicted liable to fines or jail terms.

Throughout Saturday, police dealt with what they said were “peaceful” Kill the Bill protests in areas including London, Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool and Dorset.

On Sunday, Scotland Yard said 107 people were arrested for a range of offences during the demonstration in central London.

The alleged offences included breach of the peace, violent disorder, assault on a police officer and breaches of coronavirus legislation.

The force previously said 10 officers had been injured, though “none of these are believed to be serious”.

Footage shared on social media appeared to show the arrests of legal observers, who typically monitor the actions of police during demonstrations.

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One woman was also arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

Outcomes await for those who have been arrested, the force added.

Commander Ade Adelekan said: “While our advice to people remains not to attend large gatherings, the vast majority of people who attended central London yesterday adhered to social distancing, and engaged and listened to my officers.

“However, as the afternoon wore on it became clear that a small number of people were intent on remaining to cause disruption to law-abiding Londoners.

“Despite repeated instructions from officers to leave, they did not and, amid increasing levels of disorder, arrests were made.

“We should not allow the behaviour of a few individuals who attend these events with the purpose of committing criminal acts to taint the good behaviour of the majority who attended yesterday.”

In Bristol, Avon and Somerset Police said more than 1,500 people attended a protest in the city.

The M32 motorway was temporarily closed to inbound traffic at junction 3 when a smaller group of protesters occupied the road.

At around midnight, a section 35 dispersal order was issued for the city centre following “several instances of minor disorder between protesters”, police said.

Seven people were later arrested.

Superintendent Mark Runacres said: “At around midnight there were several altercations between the small number of people who remained in the city centre. We never tolerate violence and so we made the decision to move people on.

“It’s disappointing that once again there were those who refused to listen to our requests to leave and that we had to make arrests.”

There was a low-key response from Northumbria Police as hundreds of people gathered beneath Grey’s Monument in Newcastle.

Protesters, including one who held up a placard saying “we will not be silenced”, cheered as a singer with a guitar performed in opposition to the proposed Bill.

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Many took the knee at the Civic Centre and held a minute’s silence for victims of oppression, after which a round of applause broke out.

Dorset Police thanked those who took part in “peaceful protests” in Bournemouth and Weymouth and stuck to the Covid-19 restrictions.