Anti-lockdown protesters were pinned down and arrested outside Parliament Square this afternoon after ignoring warnings to stay at home.

Crowds of maskless demonstrators gathered in Central London to complain about Covid restrictions as England’s third national lockdown came into law.

People have been ordered to stay at home and only leave for essential reasons such as to go the doctors or do a food shop.

Gathering for the purpose of a protest is not an exemption under the rules.

Pictures show people being pinned to the ground and cuffed – including on the plinths of the famous Mahatma Gandhi statue- before being put into vans after refusing to leave Westminster.

Earlier, the Met Police urged people not to attended the planned protest and threatened enforcement action for those who did.

The plea came after the force vowed to get tough on mask dodgers and said they will ask more people why they are out.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, said: ‘For those planning on demonstrating, you are reminded of your obligation to adhere to the government guidelines and stay at home.

‘If people are found to be in breach of regulations, put in place to keep the public safe, then they can expect to see enforcement from officers.

‘This will not just be organisers of the gatherings but participants too – by now everyone knows their part to play in stopping the spread of the virus.

‘People that gather as part of this protest today risk the health of Londoners. I will not tolerate this and that is why we have a policing plan in place to disperse crowds and if necessary, take enforcement action.’

However, many did not heed the warnings.

Around two miles away Met officers arrested supporters of Julian Assange as he was denied bail at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

London has the highest coronavirus rate in England and there are fears health services in the capital are at breaking point.

Earlier today the Met said Londoners should expect to be fined, rather than ‘reasoned with’ if they break regulations such as not wearing masks in public places and attending large gatherings like parties.

Fines for breaking Covid rules start at £200 for any first offence, with this doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400. Those holding, or involved in holding, an illegal gathering of more than 30 people risk a police-issued fine of £10,000. 

A statement from the Met said: ‘Although officers will still apply the 4 E’s approach of engaging, explaining, and encouraging – only then enforcing, the Met has issued refreshed instructions to officers to issue fines more quickly to anyone committing obvious, wilful and serious breaches.’

It added people should not expect just the organisers of large events to be fined – it will also be attendees.

Londoners were also warned to expect officers to be more inquisitive as to why people are out, as there are now only a limited number of ‘reasonable excuses’ why people are allowed to leave their homes.

The Met will also work with businesses and councils across London to ensure people are following the strict lockdown rules in both public spaces and retail areas.

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