A Kill the Bill protest took place in Kingston last weekend, despite warnings from police that it would breach social distancing guidelines.

Around 150 protestors gathered in the town centre on Saturday 27 March to demonstrate against the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill, marching to Fairfield Park where they gave speeches and remained for two hours.

Kingston Police had strongly advised members of the public not to attend the protest the day before and released an open letter to organisers and participators that morning warning that they would be at risk of committing a crime, as the demonstration would breach distancing rules.

Community liaison officers from the service were there to maintain order and informed protestors shortly after they reached the park that the meeting was being classed as a gathering, meaning those who stayed would be at risk of being issued with a fine.

There were several conversations between protestors and police throughout the afternoon and demonstrators began to disperse at around 3.30pm, with one telling Nub News they were leaving to avoid a fine.

Police later confirmed that there had been no arrests and things had gone smoothly.

In a statement released the day before the protest, Kingston Police said: "We are aware of groups intending to gather in Kingston on Saturday, 27 March, for the purpose of protest, despite the country remaining in lockdown to protect the public from the spread of coronavirus.

"Current government legislation makes gatherings in groups of more than two people unlawful, unless exemptions apply.

"Gathering for the purpose of a protest is not an exception under the Covid-19 regulations. The right to protest must be balanced against the rights of others and the protection of public health.

"In the interests of public health, we are telling people not to attend Kingston in order to gather to protest.

"By gathering in large numbers, there is a risk of spreading the virus that has claimed so many lives.

"A policing operation will be in place throughout the day to engage with people who are in breach of the regulations.

"Those gathering will be encouraged to return home, if they do not, they face necessary and proportionate enforcement action. This could be a fixed penalty notice, or arrest."

Protestors at the event said they believed they had a right to be there as they were being socially distanced and non-violent.

A protestor who wished to remain anonymous told Nub News that they wanted the protest to remain peaceful and tried to keep it socially distanced by having chaperones present.

They said: "We have done our bit and at the end of the day it's about a bigger cause, it's about protecting our freedom to protest and use our rights."