Pictures: Hundreds take part in Brighton Kill the Bill protest

Protesters carrying banners and placards trekked from The Level to Brighton Police Station in John Street at 5pm, where they remained on and off for more than four hours.

They were met with a line of police officers guarding the entrance to the site.

The Brighton Kill the Bill protest outside Brighton Police Station in John Street 

The controversial Police, Crime, Sentencing and Court bill looks to increase the maximum penalty for criminal damage of less than £5,000 to a memorial from three months to ten years’ imprisonment, the same maximum sentence for non-sexual child abuse.

It would also grant police additional powers to restrict protests by imposing start and finish times and setting noise limits. These limitations could be applied to a protest involving a single person.

It is these plans in particular that have sparked widespread criticism, with many claiming they represent an infringement on freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest.

Find out what Brighton and Hove MPs had to say on the bill here:

• 'People could face harsher punishment for throwing a statue in a river than doing the same to a child'

• Brighton MP slams new police bill for 'trying to neuter protests'

• Brighton MP blasts government 'snowflakes' over new bill which could restrict protests

With organisers of gatherings involving more than 30 people facing £10,000 fines under ongoing coronavirus laws, news of last night's protest largely seemed to be spread by word of mouth as well as a number of posters and posts circulated on social media.

About 500 people filtered on to The Level at 5pm, sitting in small groups as they waited for the demonstration to begin.

Most wore black, as per the instructions on several social media posts. Among them, in high-vis jackets, were "legal observers" who told The Argus they were "impartial" and there to watch over proceedings. There were also several people handing out hand sanitiser.

Small pockets of police could be seen dotted around the green.

Police at the Level as protesters gathered to oppose the government's new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill

At 5.30pm, those present gravitated towards the south east corner of the park where a group hoisted a banner above their heads which read, "Silence is compliance".

This group led protesters along the roads running parallel to Valley Gardens before turning left up Edward Street, escorted by police. Brighton Police Station in John Street was the final destination.

As they marched, protester chanted the likes of "Priti Patel is a fascist", "Whose Streets? Our streets" and "kill the bill".

• RECAP: The Brighton Kill the Bill protest, as it happened

At the police station, they were met with a line of police officers blocking the entrance to the building.

Providing updates on Twitter, Brighton and Hove Police said: "We have temporarily closed the front office of John Street Police Station due to a large protest which is currently taking place outside. Please avoid the area."

Protesters formed a semi-circle around the station, filling the road. They stayed for a while, continuing to chant and holding banners bearing messages such as "protect peaceful protest" and "we will not be silenced".

Protesters chanted and held signs aloft outside Brighton Police Station

Some at the front of the pack had inscribed "Kill the Bill" on the bottom of their skateboards, and lifted these above their heads so they could be seen by police.

The group then set off again, walking a small loop along John Street, down Kingswood Street, along Grand Parade then back up Edward Street to return to the police station.

It was around this time that footage was taken which showed a small scuffle between a small number of protesters and police at the front of the station. The video showed a short spell of jostling between the two groups, with any sign of violence quickly fizzling out.

As the sun set, what appeared to be a flare was set off near the front of the crowd sending a small orange cloud of smoke dusting over protesters heads.

At this stage, chants began to focus less on anti-government sentiments, with many displaying an opposition to the police as an institution.

"All cops are b*****ds," could often be heard. One protester clambered on to a raised platform at a building site opposite the police station and thrusted a piece of cardboard bearing the message "Kill the Bill" above his head.

Banners displaying messages opposing the bill were carried by protesters

Shortly before 7pm, a group of about 30 more police officers were sent to the front of the station, forming a second line which separated protesters from the building.

Boos rang through the crowd as they arrived, accompanied by shouts of, "shame on you".

Some protesters who were nearest to the station could be heard speaking with police, with one telling an officer: "You are the aggressors, we want peace."

One protester climbed on to a platform in a building site opposite the police station

There were just centimetres between protesters and police at times, with officers appearing to remain steadfast throughout.

A police drone could now be seen hovering overhead, and another officer to the side of the station held a camera on a pole to film proceedings.

At 7.40pm, the group set off again. Police officers were waiting for them at Brighton Town Hall, but the group instead made its way to the Clock Tower.

As they left, a woman confronted one of the protesters and defended the police present.

Watch the exchange here:

Some support for @sussex_police outside the station in #Brighton tonight

Latest here: https://t.co/2fY02bFvQm pic.twitter.com/1GKnuaejE5

— Brighton Argus (@brightonargus) March 27, 2021

When the march, now made up of about 200 people, reached the Clock Tower, they staged a ten-minute seated protest, blocking the four-way junction which leads to Queen's Road, West Street, North Street and up towards Dyke Road.

They then walked down West Street and along the seafront to the Aquarium Roundabout, where another seated protest was held.

Protesters at the Aquarium Roundabout about three hours into the demonstration

As they walked along the seafront, drivers of passing cars showed their support by repeatedly honking their horns, with each one toot of solidarity triggering protesters to throw their arms into the air and cheer.

However, with all roads leading into the Aquarium Roundabout blocked due to the seated protest, some drivers became impatient and instead let out long honks of frustration as demonstrators lay on the road in front of their cars.

At 8.30pm, they made their way back to John Street one final time, where police officers remained in front of the station's sliding doors to meet them.

The final few protesters at Brighton Police Station

A chorus of "ACAB, all cops are b*****ds," resumed, as well as new slogans calling for the government to "defund the police". The rhythm of the chants was dictated by a drummer, with some dancing in the street as they sang.

Shortly before 9pm, protesters filtered away with just a few remaining to debate with police.

The final group of six left at 8.51pm, calling "see you again next week," over their shoulders as they walked away.

The Argus is currently unaware of any arrests at the Brighton Kill the Bill protest. More information will be provided when we have it.