At least 17 arrests made as thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators march in London

At least 17 arrests have been made at a pro-Palestine march in central London, where tens of thousands of demonstrators have gathered to call for a ceasefire and end to conflict in the Middle East.

The march comes ahead of the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel, and the ensuing bombardment of Gaza.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation, one of which included a protester wearing what appeared to be a parachute.

There were eight arrests on suspicion of public order offences, four of which were allegedly racially aggravated.

Three people were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, three arrested on suspicion of common assault and one person was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Public Order Act condition.

Demonstrators gathered outside Downing Street, chanting "free, free Palestine", while speakers criticised Sir Keir Starmer's government's approach to the ongoing conflict.

Nearby, red smoke which appeared to come from a canister could be seen outside the Ministry of Defence building.

Earlier, the march came across counter-protests at the junction of Kingsway and Aldwych and at the junction of the Strand and Trafalgar Square, according to police.

Activists convened in Bedford Square on Saturday morning amid a heavy police presence.

According to organisers, they planned to “target” companies and institutions they say are “complicit in Israel’s crimes”, including Barclays Bank and the British Museum.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators will walk through the centre of Edinburgh on Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday afternoon, a memorial event will be held in Hyde Park, organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council and other groups.

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The force said it was unaware of any significant public events taking place on Monday, the anniversary of the attacks.

Commander Lou Puddefoot, who is leading the operation, said the force had policed previous protests “without fear or favour”.

“Protests and related events have become a feature of the 12 months since the appalling terrorist attacks in Israel almost a year ago,” she said.

“We have policed them without fear or favour, ensuring that lawful protest has been allowed to take place but intervening where the line has been crossed into criminality."

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