Four arrested as Tamils protest

Apr 7 2009

Police have made four arrests as Tamil protesters disrupted the heart of London for a second day.

Some 500 demonstrators occupied Parliament Square, sparking fears that they could try to storm the entrance to the Commons.

Shouting and carrying banners condemning the Sri Lankan government's offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels and alleged human rights abuses, they were hemmed in by more than 100 police officers.

Overnight up to 5,000 people - including women and babies - forced the closure of nearby Westminster Bridge by staging a sit-in. The bridge was reopened to traffic at around 9am.

Two men jumped into the Thames as police tried to persuade the crowd to disperse, but they were not believed to have been seriously injured.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Police have made four arrests - one for violent disorder, two for public order and one for breach of the peace.

"There are approximately 500 protesters remaining in Parliament Square. We have a contingency plan in place should numbers start to grow again."