In recent weeks, thousands of people have taken part in Kill the Bill protests across the country.

A series of demonstrations in Bristol have grabbed headlines, with footage widely shared on social media showing violence erupting between police and protesters.

Elsewhere, 18 people were arrested during a march in Manchester yesterday, with largely peaceful protests also held in Nottingham, Sheffield, Bradford and Cambridge this weekend.

In Brighton yesterday, hundreds gathered at The Level and marched to the city's police station in John Street where they remained, on and off, for more than four hours.

In pictures: hundreds took to the streets of Brighton to take part in a Kill the Bill protest, opposing the governments new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill which would grant police powers to restrict future demonstrations

In pictures: hundreds took to the streets of Brighton to take part in a Kill the Bill protest, opposing the government's new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill which would grant police powers to restrict future demonstrations

But, what has sparked these protests?

The Kill the Bill protests are a public show of opposition to the government's new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which promises to overhaul the justice system.

The controversial bill, which passed its second reading on March 15, includes laws to reform sentencing, the courts and handling offenders.

However, it proposes laws regarding protests which have been met with the most opposition.

The legislation looks to toughen up powers the police have to tackle “non-violent” protests which are deemed significantly disruptive to the public or on access to Parliament.

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It includes an offence of "intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance".

According to the bill, someone commits this crime if they cause “serious harm to the public”, which can include "serious annoyance, serious inconvenience or serious loss of amenity". Those convicted could face a fine or jail.

The Home Office said this replaces an existing common law offence of public nuisance as it applies in England and Wales with a statutory offence of intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance.

BRIGHTON KILL BILL DEMO 27-3-21.

BRIGHTON KILL BILL DEMO 27-3-21.

The plans could also see police given powers to impose more conditions on static protests, like time and noise limits, and extend the rules to one-person demonstrations.

Meanwhile, the government is also seeking to increase the maximum penalty for criminal damage to a memorial from three months to 10 years, under the bill.

Find out what Brighton and Hove MPs had to say on the bill here:

Another element of the bill which has been blasted by many is its granting of more police powers to crack down on unauthorised encampments which interfere with the ability to use the land.

There have been concerns raised over the repercussions of this on the traveller community.

The government states: "Unauthorised encampments can create significant challenges for local authorities and cause distress and misery to those who live nearby.

In pictures: hundreds took to the streets of Brighton to take part in a Kill the Bill protest, opposing the governments new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill which would grant police powers to restrict future demonstrations

In pictures: hundreds took to the streets of Brighton to take part in a Kill the Bill protest, opposing the government's new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill which would grant police powers to restrict future demonstrations

"They also often give an unfair, negative image of the vast majority of travellers who abide by the law.

"As we pledged in our Manifesto, we will create a criminal offence of residing in a vehicle on land without permission.

"The new offence has been framed in such a way as to ensure that the rights of ramblers and others to enjoy the countryside are not impacted. In addition, we will give the police the power to seize vehicles, and we will strengthen existing powers."