Palestine Action supporters have swarmed London's Parliament Square as hundreds of police officers have begun carrying out arrests - while migrant protests across the country have prompted chaos fears.
The Metropolitan Police said it has drawn officers in from other forces to help form a 'significant policing presence' as it faces a busy weekend of demos, with clashes seen breaking out today in the heart of the capital.
Between 600 and 700 are participating in a protest supporting the proscribed group in Parliament Square, according to organisers Defend Our Juries, who claimed the Met were preparing for 'the largest mass arrest in their history'.
At 2pm, the force said it had arrested more than 50 people so far and vowed to make further arrests for 'anyone expressing support for Palestine Action'.
The ban means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000.
