BERLIN - At least 18 police officers were injured while attempting to disperse crowds at a protest against coronavirus lockdown measures in the German capital Berlin.

Berlin police said three of its officers were receiving treatment in hospital, without specifying their injuries.

The force had deployed more than 1,000 officers to monitor Saturday’s protest, which officials said was attended by about 20,000 people.

Organisers had declared Saturday a "day of freedom" from months of coronavirus restrictions, with demonstrators holding banners featuring such slogans as "Corona, false alarm".

But police eventually broke up the protest, saying organisers had not respected coronavirus hygiene regulations.

Germany has been less badly affected by the pandemic than some European countries, but cases are rising.(FA)