Coronavirus: Anti-lockdown protest broken up by police in London

Police made a number of arrests and issued fines as they broke up a small anti-lockdown protest in central London.

Officers were pictured dispersing a group of between 40 and 50 people near the capital's Westminster Bridge.

Witnesses said those present brandished banners with messages including "no consent" and "we will not be tricked, tracked and trapped".

Others made reference to 5G, which conspiracy theorists have repeatedly linked to coronavirus despite there being no evidence supporting the claims.

Anthony Joseph, who works for Sky Sports News, was among those who saw the protest.

"We could hear them chanting something as we approached but couldn't really make it out," he told Sky News.

"There were quite a few police there and they were just talking to them and asking them to go home.

"I heard one of the officers telling one of them they had been there for an hour and needed to leave.

"One of the protesters was saying something like 'I've still got human rights'. There was also mention of 5G."

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The Metropolitan Police said officers had responded after people had initially gathered in breach of coronavirus regulations in Lambeth Walk, near Westminster Bridge.

"A number of people were arrested and fixed penalty notices were issued," the force said.

"Officers remain in the area as they continue to work to keep the public safe."

While a several demonstrations opposing COVID-19 restrictions have taken place in the United States, today's action is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.