More than 100 people took part in a 'Kill the Policing Bill' in Dorchester over the weekend.

Dorset Trades Union Council, Stand Up to Racism Dorset, Kushti Bok, Black Lives Matter, Unite, Hunt Saboteurs Association and Extinction Rebellion joined forces on Saturday (April 17) to protest the newly proposed Police and Crime Sentencing Bill.

They met at the Town Pump at 11am, with more than 100 people marching through the town centre.

The peaceful protest joined a national day of action against the bill across many cities and towns in the UK.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill includes government proposals on crime and justice and includes changes to protests. If passed, police can put more conditions on static protests and will be able to impose a start and finish time, set noise limits and apply these rules to a demonstration by just one person.

At present, if police want to place restrictions on a protest, they have to show it may result in 'serious public disorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community'.

Jenny Lennon-Wood, from Dorset Trades Union Council, said: "The Government has exploited key workers, putting their lives at risk throughout the pandemic. The 'reward' is an attack on their jobs and pay - renewed austerity to make workers' pay for the Covid crisis while the chumocracy continues to pour public funds into the pockets of the super-rich.

"Now the Police and Crimes Bill aims to rob us all of our right to protest against the injustices of poverty pay, insecure jobs and discrimination in workplaces and all aspects of our daily lives. Dorset Trades Union Council says a resounding NO to this undemocratic assault on our democracy."

Lynne Hubbard, from Stand up To Racism Dorset, said: "The Government wants to criminalise people who protest against racism - like those who've joined demonstrations called by the Black Lives Matter movement. The Home Secretary described these as 'dreadful'. What's dreadful is the attack on our rights and on all those who want to see social justice."

Everyone who attended was asked to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing and anyone with Covid symptoms asked not to attend.

Andrew Smith, from Extinction Rebellion, said: "As groups we all have our individual campaigns but this bill will affect us all and that is why we are joining together - people united are stronger and an alliance of movements and individuals is real people power and what the authorities that seek to repress us are most in fear of."

A spokesperson from Kushti Bok, a local Dorset charity supporting Romany, Gypsy and the Traveller movement gave a speech which pointed out: "This bill is targeting travellers - it's racism. Families on the road in their caravans and tents can be fined up to £2,500. They can go to prison for up to three months. Their vehicles can be taken away from them. We are being criminalised, yet there's is no room for more traveller encampments".