Six people have been arrested after draping Westminster Bridge with a Palestine Action banner.

The campaigners from Defend Our Juries initially struggled to get the banners out in the wind, but managed to hold two banners over the north side of the bridge, which read “I oppose genocide” and “I support Palestine Action”.

The Met Police said: "Officers were quickly on scene, the banner had been removed and the six people involved have been arrested for supporting a proscribed organisation.”

Around 1,500 people, "including priests, vicars, pensioners and healthcare workers”, are in attendance in the "Lift The Ban" protest in Trafalgar Square.

Six people have been arrested after draping Westminster Bridge with a Palestine Action banner

Just after 1pm, protesters began clapping before sitting down, chanting "free, free Palestine".

Some began writing "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”, while others held pre-written signs.

City of London police officers have arrived to support the Metropolitan Police.

Dozens of police officers were lined up next to Nelson’s Column in central London, awaiting the expected arrival of hundreds of protesters supporting the banned group Palestine Action.

The banner read 'I oppose genocide' and 'I support Palestine Action'

Several campaigners from the Stop the War coalition are already in Trafalgar Square, holding placards and Palestine flags.

The force has continued to urge the group to call off its plans, arguing that the protests are "drawing valuable resources away from the communities of London at a time when they are needed most."

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: "At a time when we want to be deploying every available officer to ensure the safety of those communities, we are instead having to plan for a gathering of more than 1,000 people in Trafalgar Square on Saturday in support of a terrorist organisation.

"By deliberately choosing to encourage mass law breaking on this scale, Defend Our Juries are drawing valuable resources away from the communities of London at a time when they are needed most."

The Met Police said officers were quickly on scene

The Metropolitan Police said it had begun making arrests at a Defend Our Juries protest in Trafalgar Square.

The force said people displaying placards in support of Palestine Action are being detained.

In a statement on X, the Met said: "Officers have begun making arrests in Trafalgar Square where people are displaying placards in support of Palestine Action.

"The square is busy, but quite a few people in the crowd appear to be observing/supporting but not carrying placards themselves."

Just after 1pm, protesters began clapping before sitting down, chanting 'free, free Palestine'

A similar event, held by Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine and taking place regularly over the last two years, is also scheduled to occur.

Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Sir Stephen Watson urged would-be attendees at the protest to "consider whether this is really the right time”.

Police forces have deployed extra officers to synagogues and other Jewish buildings to offer protection and reassurance in the aftermath of the attack.

The Prime Minister said events could cause further turmoil for the families of victims and the Jewish communities.

Palestine Action is proscribed as a terrorist organisation under UK law

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told GB News: "The marches, in my view, should be stopped. And I say that for two reasons.

"Firstly, as a mark of respect to the families of the victims in Manchester and indeed the whole Jewish community in the United Kingdom who are in grief and shock, as you would expect.

"The second reason is the police, both in Manchester and the Metropolitan Police in London, have said they don't have the resources to both properly police the protest and also protect the Jewish community and synagogues at the same time."

Concerns over the timing come as two Jewish men were killed on Yom Kippur two days ago in a horrific terror attack in Manchester.