HUNDREDS of Kurdish protesters demonstrated in central London today in response to the arrest of seven people said to be associated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Many wore face coverings, blew whistles, chanted and played music as they made their way through the streets following a pre-arranged route from Trafalgar Square to Whitehall.

Others held placards with “stop the attacks on Kurds” and “hands off our community centre” written on them.

“To British people and Metropolitan Police, hands off Kurds,” one man said.

The Met have warned attendees that expressing support for the proscribed group is a criminal offence.

The PKK wants an independent Kurdish state in south-east Turkey, and has been banned in Britain since 2001.

Last week, seven people were arrested in London on suspicion of terrorism offences linked to it.

Searches took place at the Kurdish community centre in Haringey, north London, among other locations, with a protest taking place on Thursday near the centre.

The Met said a man was arrested on suspicion of expressing support for a proscribed terrorist organisation related to chanting during the protest.