Police Clash with Protesters at Anti-Lockdown Demonstration in London

More than a thousand people gathered in central London on Saturday to protest against lockdown measures aimed at slowing coronavirus spread, before police broke up the event.

The rally, which resulted in 32 arrests, came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is debating whether to re-impose some limits on lockdowns across England, reports Reuters.

Demonstrators carried banners saying "COVID is a hoax" and "My body, my choice: No to mandatory masks", as well as chanting at police: "Choose your side".

Police said demonstrators were told to leave Trafalgar Square on the grounds that participants and other members of the public were threatened by the demonstration.

"This, combined with pockets of animosity and outbreaks of violence against officers, means that we will now be taking enforcement measures to disperse those who remain in the city," the Metropolitan Police of London said in a statement.

People in England are not permitted to meet in groups of more than six under legislation implemented to slow the spread of infection. Exemptions for political demonstrations exist, but only if organizers adopt protocols to minimize the risk of spreading the disease.

Up to 10,000 pounds ($12,914) have been fined by leaders of past anti-lockdown demonstrations.

Some of the protesters at Saturday's event voiced opposition to compulsory vaccines, as well as more general mistrust of the government, the media and the World Health Organisation.

Britain has suffered the highest death toll from coronavirus in Europe, with more than 41,000 deaths on a chosen indicator by the government. National disease monitoring hasn't kept up with the demand since the schools reopened this month.

Growing numbers of cases in parts of Scotland , Wales and northern England have already led to local bans on people inviting friends to their homes, and shortened opening hours for pubs and restaurants.