THE founder of an anti-lockdown campaign group has described the actions of police during a protest as "absolutely outrageous". 

Louise Creffield, who runs Save Our Rights UK, was among 155 people arrested on Saturday as campaigners took to the streets in central London to oppose lockdown restrictions.

The Brighton mother was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, obstruction of the highway and breaking Covid-19 regulations.

Speaking in a video posted to supporters on the Save Our Rights UK Facebook page after Saturday's protest, Ms Creffield said: "I've been bailed and my bail conditions are to not be within the M25 until December 14.

"Well done to everyone who came today. You're all absolute heroes.

"I can't believe how many people managed to make it there considering how much the police tried to stop us. It's absolutely outrageous.

"We got there and we marched, but my goodness they did not want us there."

Under current restrictions, demonstrations of more than two people are banned, after Home Secretary Priti Patel removed the previous exemption for protests. 

Pictures from Saturday's protest show campaigners marching from Marble Arch through central London with signs which read "save our children", "all I want for Christmas is my freedom back" and "ditch the facemasks". 

The Argus: Photo: PA MediaPhoto: PA Media

Videos from the event show people shouting "Choose your side" as officers used force to make arrests.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell of the Metropolitan Police described Saturday's protest as "a challenging day for Met, City of London and British Transport Police officers".

He said: “On Friday, we made it very clear how we would police this event, warning those looking to attend that they risked facing enforcement action if they attended a gathering in London.

"Enforcement action is a direct result of those individuals deliberately breaking the law and at times, targeting our officers with aggression and causing disruption to the road network."

The Argus: Photo: PA MediaPhoto: PA Media

The Met said officers made a number of interventions to prevent people from gathering and coaches transporting protestors into the capital were intercepted. Those who did not turn back and go home were either arrested or issued with fixed penalty notices.

As well as breaching coronavirus regulations, the Met said other arrests were made for offences including assaulting a police officer and possession of drugs.

The Argus: Ms Creffield at another protest in London, held earlier this yearMs Creffield at another protest in London, held earlier this year

On its website, Save Our Rights UK is described as a "grassroots movement" which aims to "unite the people for a real democracy". 

Ms Creffield has been organising demonstrations in Brighton since May, during the first coronavirus lockdown. 

The 34-year-old has previously described the act of protesting against lockdown restrictions as a "moral duty".