'Kill the Bill' protesters have gathered in cities around the UK to demonstrate against controversial plans to give police more powers to curb protests.
Thousands have gathered in central London, and more than one hundred protesters demonstrated against the proposed bill which will allow police to shut down protests deemed overly noisy or disruptive.
"Protests R supposed to be annoying," one placard being carried through the capital's streets on Saturday read.
The protests took place in tandem with 'May Day' rallies held on the annual International Workers' Day.
Protesters carried placards rallying for workers' rights and environmental concerns, as well as the Kill the Bill campaign.
Demonstrators were heard chanting "whose streets, our streets" as they marched through the streets of Bristol.
Similar protests were staged in Sheffield, Manchester and Newcastle.
The London protest, spearheaded by anti-domestic violence charity Sisters Uncut, also featured placards supporting Extinction Rebellion (XR) and the Black Lives Matter movement as the groups defended the democratic right to protest.
Each of the movements have previously criticised authorities - claiming heavy-handed policing of their protesters in the recent past.
And the Kill the Bill demonstrations coincided with XR’s “Protest of One” campaign, which saw hundreds of people up and down the country stage one-man road blocks in protest at the Government’s lack of action on climate change.
The marches are the latest in a series of protests against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
The proposed legislation would give police in England and Wales more powers to impose conditions on non-violent protests – including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance, with those convicted liable to fines or jail terms.
Commander Simon Dobinson, of the Metropolitan Police, said ahead of the protests: “We have attempted to make contact with the organisers of Saturday’s demonstrations.
“It is their responsibility to comply with the regulations and ensure their gathering is safe.
“Officers will be present to try to engage with protestors, to explain the restrictions, encourage compliance and take steps to enforce the restrictions if it is necessary to do so.
“Anyone intending to engage in violence or disorder needs to understand that police we will take steps to prevent that behaviour. We will not tolerate attacks on our officers and staff.”
In Newcastle, demonstrators faced off against officers who blocked them from accessing a police station.
One witness told the PA news agency: “Police closed the road and stopped access, there were a couple of scuffles and a few protestors were detained.
“After 30 minutes or so the protestors seemed to realise they wouldn’t get through so moved on.”
In Sheffield, demonstrators took the knee and gave the black power salute in a park close to the city centre, before marching towards City Hall.
Protestors in Manchester occupied Portland Street in the city centre.
Some of the most turbulent Kill the Bill protests in recent months have been seen in Bristol.
A statue of slave trader Edward Colston was ripped down and toppled into the city's harbour last summer.
The city’s 11th protest was scheduled to commence at 5pm this May Day, beginning at College Green.
A Home Office spokesman said: “The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, but over recent years we have seen an increase in the use of disruptive and dangerous tactics.
“It is totally unacceptable to smash up private property, block emergency vehicles and prevent the printing press from distributing newspapers.
“The Government will not stand by as the rights and freedoms of individuals, businesses and communities are trampled upon by a minority.
“These new measures will not stop people from carrying out their civic right to protest and be heard, but will prevent large scale disruption – enabling the silent majority to get on with their lives.”
