British News Agency

The Metropolitan Police said that 466 protesters were arrested for supporting the group, five for assaulting police officers, two for public order offences, and one for a racially motivated crime.

During the protest, organized by the "Defence Juries" in Parliament Square, Westminster, many participants held handwritten signs reading: "I am against genocide. I support Action for Palestine".

This was the largest protest since July, when the government banned the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. According to the law, being a member of or supporting the group can carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

No police officers were seriously injured, but the Metropolitan Police said the number of arrests was the highest in a single day in the past 10 years.

Protesters whose identities were verified were released on bail on the condition that they do not participate in another protest in support of "Action for Palestine".

Those who refused to give their details or whose identities could not be verified remained in custody.

Most protesters declined to speak to reporters covering the protest, but one demonstrator, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "If they ban ‘Action for Palestine’, which group is next? Until we are not allowed to protest at all. This is the complete opposite of democracy".