UK police arrest 155 in anti-lockdown protests in London

Earlier police lined up in a number of streets in central London’s West End shopping district and confronted crowds of protesters in St James’s Park, near Westminster. The anti-lockdown protesters were joined by groups who oppose a COVID-19 vaccine.

One police officer estimated the protesters, who held up signs saying “Defend Freedom, Defend Humanity”, “No more lies, no more masks, no more lockdowns”, numbered between 300 and 400.

London’s Metropolitan Police said they had intercepted and turned back coaches full of people wanting to join the demonstrations.

“Our policing plan will continue well into the evening and I would urge anyone who hasn’t already dispersed to go home,” said chief superintendent Stuart Bell in the statement.