Police move to break up London virus protest as 6,042 new cases recorded

A man gestures as police move in to disperse protesters in Trafalgar Square in London on Sept. 26, 2020, at a 'We Do Not Consent!' mass rally against vaccination. (AFP)

British 'conspiracy theorist' David Icke, speaks at a gathering of protesters in Trafalgar Square in London on Sept. 26, 2020, at a 'We Do Not Consent!' mass rally. (AFP)

A woman falls as police move in to disperse protesters in Trafalgar Square in London on September 26, 2020, at a 'We Do Not Consent!' mass rally against vaccination and government restrictions designed to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus. (AFP)

• Thousands of people had gathered in Trafalgar Square to protest against the coronavirus pandemic restrictions
• The United Kingdom recorded 6,042 new cases of COVID-19, official figures showed on Saturday

LONDON: Several British police officers were hurt on Saturday when they ordered thousands of protesters at a central London anti-lockdown demonstration to disperse after they failed to respect social distancing.
Holding signs saying “We Do Not Consent” and “Stuff the Stupid Rules,” thousands of people had gathered in Trafalgar Square to protest against the coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
The Metropolitan Police said the protest had to end because demonstrators had failed to socially distance, or wear masks meaning it was no longer exempt from the national rules that limit gatherings to six people.
“We want to be clear, this protest is no longer exempt from the regulations,” the Met said on Twitter. “We are asking those attending to disperse. Sadly, some officers have been injured while engaging with people.”
The United Kingdom recorded 6,042 new cases of COVID-19, official figures showed on Saturday, and 34 new deaths among those who tested positive for the virus within 28 days.