The Metropolitan Police made 890 arrests at a demonstration organised by Defend Our Juries in support of Palestine Action. The majority of protesters who left in handcuffs were detained under the Terrorism Act as supporters for a proscribed group but 17 were arrested for assaulting police officers.

Following the policing plan but in place ahead of the protest, all of those arrested were processed at a prisoner reception point in the Westminster area. Those who provided their details were released on bail to appear at a police station at a future date, while those who refused to provide their details and those who were arrested while already on bail, were transported to a custody suite. All 857 individuals arrested for Terrorism Act Offences are now being investigated by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

The group has been banned as a terror group since 5 July (Image: Getty)

An estimated 1,500 people gathered in London for the demonstration on Saturday, according to the organiser, Defend Our Juries. Many attendees were seen holding signs saying: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

Palestine Action has been banned as a terror group since 5 July this year after MPs voted in favour of the move. This means it is illegal to express support for the group.

The Met Police previously said those charged under the Terrorism Act include a maximum sentence of six months’ imprisonment.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Claire Smart who led the policing operation said: “I’d like to thank all officers involved in yesterday’s operation for their professionalism and tireless work despite the level of abuse that they faced

“The violence we encountered during the operation was coordinated and carried out by a group of people, many wearing masks to conceal their identity, intent on creating as much disorder as possible. Many of those individuals have now been arrested and we have begun securing charges.

“The contrast between this demonstration and the other protests we policed yesterday, including the Palestine Coalition march attended by around 20,000 people, was stark. You can express your support for a cause without committing an offence under the Terrorism Act or descending into violence and disorder, and many thousands of people do that in London every week.

“We have a duty to enforce the law without fear or favour. If you advertise that you are intending to commit a crime, we have no option but to respond accordingly.”