UK arrests over 100 in protests against policing bill

Proposed new law would empower police to clamp down on demonstrations

Demonstrators taking part in a 'Kill The Bill' protest against the Government's Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill hold up placards as they march in central London. AFP

Former Labour Party Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, speaks to protesters next to a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at a Kill the Bill protest in Parliament Square. Getty Images

Members of the Red Brigade performance group take part in a 'Kill The Bill' protest against the Government's Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. AFP

A man throws a traffic cone at a car during clashes following a 'Kill the Bill' protest. AP Photo

A police officer cradles the head of a demonstrator on the ground during a 'Kill The Bill' protest. AFP

A woman is detained by police during a 'Kill the Bill' protest. AP Photo

Police confront protesters during a 'Kill the Bill' protest. EPA

A demonstrator at a 'Kill The Bill' protest. AFP

Police stand guard around the statue of wartime prime minister Winston Churchill in Parliament Square during a 'Kill the Bill' protest. AP Photo

Demonstrators face police officers during a protest. Reuters

Police push back protesters during a Kill The Bill demonstration. Getty Images

Demonstrators and police officers scuffle during a protest. Reuters

Demonstrators and police officers scuffle during a protest. Reuters

A demonstrator hits a telephone box with a road cone during a 'Kill The Bill' protest. AFP

British police said Sunday that 107 people were arrested in London during demonstrations against government plans to increase police powers.

Thousands of demonstrators rallied across the UK on Saturday as part of a "national weekend of action" against a proposed new law that would give police added powers to clamp down on protests.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill aims to toughen measures authorities can take to disperse protests. These include imposing time and noise limits, which activists fear would be used to curb dissent.

On Saturday, 'kill the bill' marches were held in dozens of towns and cities, including London, Manchester Bristol and Cardiff. They were supported by big campaign groups such as climate change campaigners Extinction Rebellion and the Black Lives Matter movement.

"(I'm here) to defend the rights of free speech, and the rights of organisations in our society," said Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the opposition Labour Party. He was one of several thousand who joined the protest in central London, where at least one officer was injured as demonstrators clashed with police.

"These demonstrations, 50 of them today, will make a difference," he told Reuters opposite the Houses of Parliament.

Since the bill was brought before parliament last month, there have been sporadic protests. In Bristol, southwest England, demonstrations have turned violent with officers and a police station bombarded with bricks and glass bottles, and police vehicles set on fire.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson criticised what he described as "disgraceful attacks" on officers, but protesters have accused police of using heavy-handed tactics.

Days of protests by Extinction Rebellion, which paralysed parts of London in early 2019, fuelled calls from some politicians for the police to be given the tougher powers to prevent excessive disruption.

Demonstrations had not been permitted while a coronavirus lockdown was in place, but restrictions were eased this week, meaning the rallies could go ahead providing they were "Covid secure".

In London, police warned, "enforcement action will be taken, if needed, in the interests of public health". Some senior officers have said the "kill the bill" tag was deliberately provocative as "the bill" is a nickname in the UK for the police.