POLICE have issued a warning to anyone planning to attend a series of anti-lockdown protests in Stroud.

So-called Stroud Freedom Action Days are planned for every Saturday in the lead up to Christmas

It appears that they are being organised by the same group behind the Freedom Rally held in Stratford Park at the start of last month which resulted in three arrests and a £10,000 fine issued to organisers.

One of the organisers and speakers, Debbie Hicks, was among those arrested.

According to posters being circulated on social media, activists are planning to begin tomorrow, Saturday, meeting at 11am in Tesco car park in Stratford Road for a small rally before heading into town to set up a stall outside MP Siobhan Baillie's office by Poundland.

At 2.30pm they plan to hold a Community Rally for Freedom outside the MP's office with 'music and festivities' before marching around town with placards around an hour later.

Those taking part are encouraged to bring, whistles, pots and pans and drums.

In response, Gloucestershire police posted the following message on Facebook this afternoon:

"In light of a possible protest in Stroud tomorrow, Saturday, we would ask anyone planning on attending to read the following message.

"Gloucestershire is currently under tier two coronavirus restrictions.

"This means outside gatherings of more than six people is prohibited unless one of the statutory exceptions applies, which includes the right to protest.

"However, protests are only permitted if organised by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution, a public or political body.

"Where a protest is not organised by any of these groups it is in breach of tier two coronavirus regulations.

"Therefore anyone gathering to protest in a group greater than six is at risk of receiving a fixed penalty notice of £200.

"Organisers will also be liable for a fine of £10,000.

"Gloucestershire police will be helping ensure people stick to the regulations and extra officers will be patrolling in Stroud town centre on Saturday to ensure compliance."