Police filmed a clash with anti-blockade protesters as trouble broke out in London

Police clashed with hundreds of anti-blockade protesters today when trouble broke out in central London.

The Metropolitan Police said it was aware of various groups of people who wanted to gather in the capital to protest.

Large groups gathered to demonstrate against the coronavirus lockdown restrictions and the government police, crime, sentencing and court bill around 1 p.m.

The images show hundreds of people without masks blocking traffic on London’s Park Lane.

They also marched through Hyde Park and were photographed and filmed clashing with police in Piccadilly.

Met police told The Mirror that so far no arrests have been made.

Protesters, including anti-blockade activist actor Laurence Fox, were seen walking through Hyde Park shouting “Get up, take back your freedom!” and “Burn your mask!”

Police urged people to stay home and adhere to coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Metropolitan Police officers are “interacting with those who are gathering” today and urging them to disperse or go home, the force said.

Metropolitan Police Events tweeted this morning: “We are aware that groups are planning to travel to London today to protest.

“Our city remains in a health crisis, the gatherings run the risk of spreading the virus and are illegal.

“We have a surveillance plan throughout the day.

“We urge people to reconsider the protests and stay home.”

Yesterday, police said in a statement: “The Met is aware of several groups that intend to gather in and around central London on Saturday 20 March for the purpose of protesting, despite the fact that the country remains locked in. to protect the public from the spread of coronavirus.

“Current government law makes gathering in groups of more than two people illegal, unless exemptions apply.

“Gathering for the purpose of a protest is no exception under Covid-19 regulations.

“The right to protest must be balanced with the rights of others and the protection of public health.

“In the interest of public health, the Met is telling people not to come to central London to gather to protest.

“By gathering in large numbers, there is a risk of spreading the virus that has claimed so many lives.

“A major police operation will take place throughout the day to interact with people who break the regulations.

“Those who gather will be encouraged to return home; if they do not, they will face necessary and proportionate enforcement action. This could be a notice of fixed sanction or arrest.”

It comes after the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill passed its second reading 359-263 after it was overwhelmingly endorsed by Conservative MPs this week.

The police will be able to tell one-man protesters to stop yelling and impose noise limits, start and end times on meetings.

Even former Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May, who presided over a “hostile environment” as Home Secretary, said she was concerned about “possible unintended consequences,” adding: “Freedom of expression is an important right in our democracy, for annoying or uncomfortable as that can sometimes be. “

But Conservative MPs defeated a Labor amendment, 359 votes to 225, which would have wiped out the entire bill and forced the Conservatives to draft a new one.