NINE police officers have been injured and 16 people arrested as cops moved to shut down an anti-lockdown protest in London.
Clashes erupted as maskless campaigners took over Trafalgar Square before moving to Hyde Park as they accused the government of “tyranny” and called for an end to restrictions.
Met Police officers were pelted with missiles and faced off with protesters as they stormed Trafalgar Square to break up the rally.
Among the nine officers injured, two required hospital treatment for head injuries.
Dramatic pictures showed a woman being knocked to the ground as a scuffle broke out behind her.
A protester wearing a cricket helmet was left bloodied face after a stand-off with a police officer.
Met Police said the “lack of action” by organisers in keeping people safe from the virus meant they had to go in and break it up.
Those arrested were held for offences including breaching coronavirusregulations, assaulting a police officer, public order offences and violent disorder.
It comes as almost 18 million Brits – a quarter of the nation – will be plunged into local lockdown by 6pm tomorrow and a record number of Saturday Covid cases.
