BUS passengers are abandoning their journeys as a Kill the Bill samba band brings city centre traffic to a halt.

Buses were stuck on North Street for more than 30 minutes as protesters held a sit-in near the Jubilee Clock Tower in Brighton.

Passengers were spotted getting off the buses and leaving on foot as the drumming group sparked a flash-mob like dance party in the middle of the junction.

“Sit down if you hate the bill,” the crowd chanted.

The Argus:

A reporter on the scene said the city centre had been "effectively shut down" by the hundreds of protesters, who met at The Level at 1pm.

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Furious drivers on the A259 were also held up at the Aquarium Roundabout, near Brighton Palace Pier, due to a similar sit-in.

The Argus:

The six-or-so buses at the Clock Tower were eventually forced to reverse along North Street as a protester climbed on top of one four statues at the clock tower.

The statues of seated women on each corner represent the four seasons, with the Kill the Bill protester perching himself on top of spring.

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove Buses apologised for the disruption.

She said: “Due to the ongoing protest, most of our services are currently stationary and unable to proceed past Churchill Square and along North Street.

“We are looking to resolve this as soon as possible and can only apologise for the inconvenience at this time.”

At 5pm, the spokeswoman added that disruption had come to an end following the protesters' departure about half an hour before.

The controversial Police, Crime, Sentencing and Court bill looks to increase the maximum penalty for criminal damage of less than £5,000 to a memorial from three months to ten years’ imprisonment, the same maximum sentence for non-sexual child abuse.

The Argus:

It would also grant police additional powers to restrict protests by imposing start and finish times and setting noise limits. These limitations could be applied to a protest involving a single person.

It is these plans in particular that have sparked widespread criticism, with many claiming they represent an infringement on freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest.