Arrests ahead of coronation spark criticism of police action

POLICE have been heavily criticised over the "incredibly alarming" arrests of Republican protesters ahead of the King's coronation.

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Campaign groups said yesterday's arrests, including that of the chief executive of anti-monarchy group Republic, were "something you would expect to see in Moscow, not London".

The Metropolitan Police confirmed four people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance on St Martin's Lane and that lock-on devices were seized - a move described by human rights organisation Liberty as "a dangerous precedent for us as a democratic nation".

Just after 7am, footage of Republic chief executive Graham Smith was posted on Twitter which showed him among the demonstrators apprehended on St Martin's Lane near Trafalgar Square.