The first of many anticipated arrests took place as Extinction Rebellion's two-week protest kicked off on Tuesday (September 1).

Protesters were arrested for blocking the roads around Parliament Square, which the Met Police had stated they could not do.

Several activists were seen being carried away by police officers as fellow protesters cheered for the arrestees.

Elsewhere, smoke bombs were released among a dancing crowd of demonstrators, sending colourful clouds into the central London streets.