THREE people were arrested yesterday during searches by police deployed for an anti-EDL rally in Walthamstow, the Met has revealed.

The force drafted in hundreds of extra officers following a ban on marches and the introduction of special "conditions" preventing far-right English Defence League (EDL) supporters from holding even a static demonstration in the borough.

Police carried out a number of random checks on cars and train passengers coming into the area, which is where the arrests are thought to have been made.

One motorist was arrested for driving while disqualified, another was held for drugs possesion and the third person was seized on suspicion of owning an offensive weapon.

Further details of the arrests and where they happened have yet to be released.

Police checkpoints were spotted at a variety of sites in the borough, including the Bakers Arms in Leyton and Billet Road in Walthamstow.

Anti-EDL campaigners held a static protest in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, on Saturday lunchtime.

But later a section of the crowd broke away and marched towards Walthamstow Central station, breaking a ban on moving demonstrations.

They broke through a cordon but police reinforcements were brought in and the march was then stopped.

Police have today confirmed no-one was arrested for breaching the ban.

EDL supporters were allowed to hold a static protest by the Houses of Parliament instead of at Walthamstow, but it was poorly attended.