A large anti-monarchy protest was held at Trafalgar Square on coronation day (Picture: Alamy Live News.)
The Metropolitan Police has said it regrets the arrest of six anti-monarchy protesters ahead of the King’s coronation on Saturday.
Demonstrators from campaign group Republic were taken into police custody as they prepared to hand out placards.
In a lengthy statement, the force explained that officers initially believed the placards could be used as ‘lock-on devices’, which are banned under the new Public Order Bill.
However, they were unable to prove that was the case.
The statement said: ‘The investigation team have now fully examined the items seized and reviewed the full circumstances of the arrest.
‘Those arrested stated the items would be used to secure their placards, and the investigation has been unable to prove intent to use them to lock on and disrupt the event.
‘This evening all six have had their bail cancelled and no further action will be taken.
‘We regret that those six people arrested were unable to join the wider group of protesters in Trafalgar Square and elsewhere on the procession route.’
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Follow WTXNEWS>COM on Twitter and The force arrested six people from anti-monarchy campaign group Republic on Saturday.