The Metropolitan Police said 82 people have been arrested in Pimlico, central London, "to prevent a breach of the peace".

The force said those detained were "part of a large group of counter protestors we have been monitoring who have tried to reach the main protest march".

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There have also been 10 other arrests for a range of offences, including possession of offensive weapons, affray and assaulting a police officer.

It comes after there were violent scenes when a large mob of people carrying St George's flags was seen walking along Embankment and shouting "England 'til I die".

A line of police attempted to stop them from reaching Whitehall but the group pushed through, with some shouting "let's have them" as officers responded with batons.

Bottles were also thrown at police by the counter-demonstrators, many of whom were wearing masks.

The confrontation happened shortly before the Armistice Day two-minute silence, when hundreds of people gathered at the Cenotaph to commemorate the UK's war dead at 11am.

The service passed off without incident.

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League, had called for his supporters to mass in the capital.

He was among the crowds along with former GB News presenter Calvin Robinson.

The Met Police posted on X, formerly Twitter: "While the two minutes' silence was marked respectfully and without incident on Whitehall, officers have faced aggression from counter-protesters who are in the area in significant numbers."

The force said it "will use all the powers and tactics available to us to prevent" the counter-protesters from confronting the main march calling for a ceasefire in Israel's war against the militant group Hamas.

There were later further clashes in Chinatown when missiles were thrown at police, while a "large group" were detained following trouble at Westminster Tube station.

It is understood the group of about 100 people were being held under powers to prevent a disturbance.

The main pro-Palestinian demonstration, attended by an estimated 300,000 people, according to police, had drawn criticism from the prime minister and home secretary because it coincided with remembrance events.

Police said there had so far been no incidents related to the "large turnout" so far.

However, as protesters gathered at the start of the route at Hyde Park, chants of "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," could be heard.

The cry is viewed by many Jews as antisemitic, and is taken to mean a call for the eradication of Israel.

Others carried Palestinian flags and placards with slogans such as "free Palestine" and "end the siege", while chanting "ceasefire now".

More than 1,000 police officers have been drafted in from outside forces to monitor the protests, with the Met saying 1,850 personnel will be on duty on Saturday and 1,375 on Sunday.

Suella Braverman had faced accusations of inflaming tensions after accusing the police of "playing favourites" when they resisted pressure to ban the march calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In the face of condemnation and calls for Rishi Sunak to sack her, Mrs Braverman subsequently expressed her "full backing" for the Metropolitan Police at a meeting with Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.

But in the wake of the trouble, London mayor Sadiq Khan wrote on X: "The scenes of disorder we witnessed by the far-right at the Cenotaph are a direct result of the home secretary's words.

"The police's job has been made much harder.

"The Met have my full support to take action against anyone found spreading hate and breaking the law."

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said: "The far-right has been emboldened by the home secretary. She has spent her week fanning the flames of division. They are now attacking the police on Armistice Day.

"The home secretary's position is untenable. She must resign."

Even though the march was not intended to go near the Cenotaph, an exclusion zone was in place for Whitehall and other nearby areas, while the monument will have a dedicated 24-hour police presence until after remembrance events on Sunday.

Additional protest powers were also in place enabling officers to search anyone in a designated area for weapons, and remove face coverings.

A dispersal zone in force for key central London locations including Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: "Our job is to ensure that we police without fear or favour, that we balance the rights of everybody, be that protesters, counter-protesters, or people living or coming into London.

"And our job this weekend is to ensure that people are kept safe, and that is what my focus is on."

Meanwhile, protests at a number of London train stations have been banned, with prohibition orders in place at Waterloo, Victoria and Charing Cross between 10am and 11pm on Saturday.

Pro-Palestinian protests have also been held elsewhere in the UK, including Glasgow.