Police make almost 500 arrests at Palestine Action protest in London

Police have arrested almost 500 people in London at what organisers hoped would be the biggest demonstration so far against a ban on the proscribed organisation Palestine Action.

Officers began arresting demonstrators at the silent vigil in support of the group, which has been classed by the UK government as a terror organisation since July this year.

The first arrest took place shortly after 1pm as the seated protesters took out pens and wrote signs showing support for Palestine Action.

Dozens of police were lined up to begin arresting members of the group, who were sitting silently on the pavement in the square.