Two arrests in Bournemouth after anti-lockdown protest

Police have made two arrests following an anti-lockdown protest in Bournemouth.

Officers dealt with a crowd of around 100 people who gathered in Bournemouth Square from about 12.30pm on Saturday.

Dorset Police said they had been made aware in advance of plans for a protest in Bournemouth.

Officers made repeated attempts to engage with the organisers and discourage them from holding the event, police said.

The group dispersed at around 2.45pm.

Two men were detained on suspicion of breaching the coronavirus regulations.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: "Our officers responded to a fast-moving situation and our main focus at all times was to ensure the safety of the wider public.

"We made repeated efforts to engage with those planning to protest and remind them of the government legislation, which makes it unlawful for gatherings of more than two people.

"While we will always use the approach of engaging, explaining and encouraging members of the public to comply with the requirements, we have been clear that where we see blatant and persistent breaches we will take enforcement action.

"We must ensure that the law applies equally to everyone.

"We owe it to the vast majority of our communities who are complying with the regulations and doing their bit to limit the infection rate to take action against those who are reported to be ignoring the restrictions and encouraging others to do so."