By Anti-lockdown London protests sees more people arrested and police officers injured
Three people were arrested and three police officers injured yesterday during anti-lockdown London protests, which saw thousands of people descend to the streets and hundreds of tennis balls thrown at the Houses of Parliament.
The protestors – many of whom weren’t wearing masks and were carrying placards with anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine messages – marched through the capital towards Parliament Square.
The Metropolitan Police have said that the three people were arrested for breach of the peace and assault on a police officer, as well as one who was wanted for a previous assault.
The three police officers suffered minor injuries.
Protestors threw the tennis balls, some with messages scrawled on them, over the fences around the Houses of Parliament and outside Downing Street while chanting “shame on you” and booing Number 10.
The crowds also marched through Oxford Street before gathering at Hyde Park while holding banners, placards and flags.
On Friday, the Metropolitan Police also arrested 12 people as part of a crackdown operation on demonstrators ahead of the London protests.
Officers carried out raids in three parts of London, during which items including bamboo structures, lock-on equipment and other items “which could be used to cause criminal damage and obstructions” were seized.
View scenes of the protests below:
Epic protests today.
Tyranny has no place in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.#COVID19 #Tyranny #londonprotest #London @BorisJohnson pic.twitter.com/1a64HMSLmC
— Newton Peter Clarke 💎 🇬🇧 (@NewtonClarkeUK) June 26, 2021
There are a LOT of people here #londonprotest #freedommarch #imdone pic.twitter.com/zYjpgwdpRC
— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) June 26, 2021
It's huge#londonprotest pic.twitter.com/8pN8hoASGH
— Richard W. Jones 🖤 🏴🇬🇧 (@richardwjones) June 26, 2021
Chief Superintendent Karen Findlay from Metropolitan Police said yesterday: “There were a number of demonstrations throughout London today all of which have now come to a conclusion.
“Officers have been proactive throughout the week in the lead in to today’s events to engage, and this has continued throughout the course of today with both protest organisers, demonstrators and local communities to minimise disruption to Londoners.
“The significant majority of those protesting today engaged in a positive manner with our officers.
“We did experience small pockets of antisocial behaviour in Whitehall which involved missiles being thrown at officers, but these were dealt with quickly and effectively.
“Three arrests were made in total for breach of the peace, assault on police and an individual being wanted for a previous assault.
“Three officers received minor injuries through the course of the day but all remain fit and well. I am grateful to the command team, all our officers and those who attended to protest in central London for achieving a positive outcome.”
