Press have descended upon Victoria Square in Birmingham due to the planned anti-lockdown protest. So far, three people have been arrested for failing to follow the strict coronavirus restrictions.
There is a heavy police presence in Victoria Square in response to the planned demonstration this afternoon.
Three people had been arrested by 1.30pm.
Chief Superintendent Kim Madill tweeted: “As per my press statement yesterday we have a policing operation in place to ensure we maintain public health and three persons have been arrested.
“If you are making your way to Birmingham please go home.”
West Midlands Police on Friday urged people not to attend the protest due to lockdown restrictions.
Chief Supt Kim Madill said: “We want to make it very clear that participating in the protest is an offence so we are asking people not to attend.
“If you do chose to attend the protest, expect us to engage with you. We will not hesitate to direct you to leave.
“We will also consider issuing fines or making arrests for people that continue to refuse to co-operate.
“We all need to play our part by staying at home.
“We know that the vast majority of people are following these restrictions and we would like to thank you for this.
“You are all helping to protect the NHS and save lives.”
It is understood more arrests have been made around thee city centre as officers disperse the crowds.
Officers on New Street have been attempting to disperse a group, including children, after they failed to act on an instruction to go home.
Police could be heard telling them the “train station is that way” and followed them to ensure they went home.
One woman was heard replying: “Thank you I feel so protected”.
Others were seen holding signs claiming the pandemic was a hoax.
Additional reporting by Katie Harris
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