Dozens arrested at pro-Palestine protest on Sunday outside Labour conference

More than 160 people were arrested or reported for summons at a pro-Palestine demonstration outside the Labour party conference on Sunday, police have said.

Officers arrested 82 people on suspicion of wearing or carrying an article supporting a proscribed organisation, according to the Merseyside force. They were taken into police custody before being released on bail. A further 79 people were reported for summons.

In a protest organised by Defend Our Juries, scores of people sat outside the conference centre in Liverpool, many holding handmade banners saying they supported the banned group Palestine Action.

In a statement, Merseyside police said it estimated 180 people attended, and that “not everyone present was committing a criminal offence”.

Two activists also confronted the foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, during a meal in Pizza Express in the city centre where he was challenged about the arrests. Video of the incident showed one of the protesters urging Miliband to declare a genocide in Gaza and de-proscribe Palestine Action.

Miliband said he was happy to discuss the issue but at another time, before the protesters were ushered out.

The number of arrests this year is 16 more than were arrested at a similar pro-Palestine demonstration on the first day of Labour’s conference last year in Liverpool.

A police statement said: “Merseyside police respects everyone’s rights to protest lawfully, while also aiming to keep the peace and ensure the public are safe.

“The force makes detailed and coordinated plans ahead of such events to ensure it can apply this consistently, fairly and proportionately.”

Supt Peter Clark of force operations at Merseyside police said: “We have a comprehensive policing plan in place to deal with incidents, and have been working closely with partners including Liverpool Experience Campus, event organisers and security providers to ensure the smooth and safe running of the Labour party conference.

“Merseyside police respects the right to protest, but where offences are committed, proportionate action will be taken.”

Defend Our Juries claimed more than 200 people took part in the protest. It said: “Inside the Labour party conference today, Ed Miliband will tell campaigners and party members that they were right to build political pressure over Gaza with their protests.

“The hypocrisy is breathtaking. If he means what he says, why are those taking a principled stand against genocide still being arrested as terrorists?”

The group said one of those arrested was the 94-year-old human rights barrister Margaret Owen.