Police have warned that anyone failing to stay "peaceful and lawful" while taking part in a series of protests happening around Cornwall today will be "dealt with robustly."

There are three protests happening in Cornwall and a further two in Devon this afternoon, on different topics.

In Truro a Kill the Bill protest is taking place for the third consecutive week, following one in Falmouth last Saturday and another in Truro the weekend before that.

Protestors are voicing their concern about the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill, which puts forward a range of changes to enforcement and sentencing in both England and Wales and was recently voted through parliament. It is currently going through the committee stage where its clauses and any amendments will be debated.

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A separate protest is taking place in St Ives, this time against work taking place at a hotel set to host the G7 Summit this June.

The peaceful protest is taking place between 2pm and 5pm on the beach in front of the Carbis Bay Hotel, in response to trees being cut down and new meeting rooms being built.

Following an investigation Cornwall Council found that planning permission was needed, with the authority urging the works to be stopped under after this was granted. However, it has since emerged that the planning application since put in by the hotel is not due to be decided on until after the summit takes place.

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Organisers have stressed it is not a protest against the G7 Summit itself and that they do not condone trespass onto hotel property or any damage.

And in Newquay an event at sunset is being held to coincide with the London Peach March, in a show of "solidarity for those rallying for the freedom for our children."

People will gather at the headland at Fistral for the event this evening.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it had officers at the scene of each protest, who would be "engaging with those attending" to ensure they stayed safe and peaceful.

And they warned that action would be taken for anyone seen to be breaking laws or not protesting peacefully, saying any public order or criminal offences would "not be tolerated."

In a statement this afternoon, a force spokesperson said: "We’re aware of protests happening today in Plymouth, Exeter, Truro, Newquay and St Ives, which are taking place alongside our normal daily business.

"Officers are engaging with those attending at all of the sites to try and advise on how to have a safe and peaceful protest.

"We want people to be able to take part in these protests without causing risk to anyone, breaking any Covid rules or disproportionally disrupting other members of the community who are choosing not to protest.

"Communities should feel reassured that while we seek to facilitate peaceful and lawful protests, public order or criminal offences will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly."