Police officer punched in face at Leeds anti-lockdown protest

Around 200 people gathered in Millennium Square protesting against lockdown

Author: Amelia BeckettPublished 19th Oct 2020

A police officer was punched at an anti-lockdown protest in Leeds city centre yesterday.

Around 200 people turned up at the protest in Millennium Square, from groups including anti-lockdown protestors and anti-vaccination groups as well as far right activists. Many of those attending are not believed to have been from Leeds.

Officers were deployed to engage with the protestors and attempt to ensure they complied with social distancing measures, but in a statement said: "The organisers made no attempt to make the event Covid-secure and as such the protest was in breach of public health regulations.

"As such officers attempted to issue fixed penalty notices to three individuals who refused to give details and as a result were arrested under public health legislation."

It was then that some of the protestors attempted to obstruct the arrest and an officer was punched which resulted in incapacitant spray being used. Those arrested were later released on police bail.

West Yorkshire Police said that it fully acknowledges the importance of lawful protests and demonstrations, but these have to be balanced against current legislation which is in place to protect the health and safety of the public during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

There are restrictions on protests, which include completing risk assessments to ensure such events do not contribute to the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, we urge protest organisers to engage fully with the police at the earliest opportunity so appropriate assessments can be made.

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