Three police officers were injured, and 40 people were arrested during a protest in Westminster on Tuesday night.

One officer sustained a serious facial injury after being hit by a bottle thrown from the crowd, while two other officers suffered minor injuries. The suspect responsible for throwing the bottle has not been identified, but police are actively investigating the incident.

The protest, organized by a coalition of groups including the Palestine Solidarity Group, began at around 6 pm and was required to end at 8 pm, according to the Metropolitan Police. The majority of the crowd, estimated to be between 8,000 and 10,000 people, dispersed from Whitehall without incident.

However, a group of approximately 500 people remained, leading police to make several arrests for failing to comply with dispersal orders. Police reported that some individuals resisted arrest, necessitating the use of force to remove them. The situation escalated as the breakaway group marched to Bridge Street, outside Westminster Station, prompting police to establish cordons to contain the crowd.

In a statement, the police detailed their actions: “Shortly before 10 pm, officers entered the crowd to arrest those suspected of leading the breakaway protest. A total of 40 individuals were arrested for offences including breaking the Public Order Act, obstruction of a highway, and assaults on emergency workers.

By around 2 am on Wednesday, all protesters had left the area, and Bridge Street was reopened to traffic.

The Metropolitan Police emphasized their commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining order during protests. They continue to appeal for any witnesses or individuals with information about the bottle-throwing incident to come forward.

For those seeking updates, the latest information can be accessed through various news platforms and the Metropolitan Police’s official channels.