Three men and a woman have been arrested for attacking a police officer at the Tommy Robinson protests in central London.

They were among a total of 24 detained for various criminal offences including drunk and disorderly behaviour during the rallies near Oxford Circus on Saturday afternoon.

The main demonstration saw hundreds of people call for the release of the EDL founder, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, after he was jailed for contempt of court.

A separate counter-demonstration was held by anti-racist and anti-fascist activists in a nearby area of Regent Street.

One video, which appeared to be taken during the “Free Tommy” rally, showed supporters targeting a police medic wearing a cap and holding a baton.

Tommy Robinson supporters standoff with police Show all 11 1 /11 Tommy Robinson supporters standoff with police Tommy Robinson supporters standoff with police Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) supporters in Oxford Street protesting against his prison sentence after he was jailed for nine months for contempt of court PA Tommy Robinson supporters standoff with police Police chase supporters in order to keep them apart from counter-protesters AFP/Getty Images Tommy Robinson supporters standoff with police Police confront supporters AFP/Getty Images Tommy Robinson supporters standoff with police TOPSHOT - Police grapple with supporters of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, AKA Tommy Robinson, founder and former leader of the anti-Islam English Defence League (EDL), in central London on August 3, 2019, as they keep the supporters apart from counter-protesters from 'Stop Tommy Robinson' and 'Stand up to Racism'. - British far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson was jailed for contempt of court on July 11, having live-streamed a confrontation with defendants in a criminal trial that was subject to reporting restrictions. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images Tommy Robinson supporters standoff with police Police grapple with supporters of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, AKA Tommy Robinson, founder and former leader of the anti-Islam English Defence League (EDL), in central London on August 3, 2019, as they keep the supporters apart from counter-protesters from 'Stop Tommy Robinson' and 'Stand up to Racism'. - British far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson was jailed for contempt of court on July 11, having live-streamed a confrontation with defendants in a criminal trial that was subject to reporting restrictions. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images Tommy Robinson supporters standoff with police Tommy Robinson supporters in Oxford Street in London protesting against his prison sentence after he was jailed for nine months for contempt of court over a video he broadcast on Facebook which featured defendants in a criminal trial. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday August 3, 2019. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire Steve Parsons PA Tommy Robinson supporters standoff with police Police grapple with a supporter of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, AKA Tommy Robinson, founder and former leader of the anti-Islam English Defence League (EDL), in central London on August 3, 2019, as they keep the supporters apart from counter-protesters from 'Stop Tommy Robinson' and 'Stand up to Racism'. - British far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson was jailed for contempt of court on July 11, having live-streamed a confrontation with defendants in a criminal trial that was subject to reporting restrictions. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images Tommy Robinson supporters standoff with police A supporter of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, AKA Tommy Robinson, founder and former leader of the anti-Islam English Defence League (EDL) shouts as police form a cordon between supporters and counter-protesters from 'Stop Tommy Robinson' and 'Stand up to Racism', in central London on August 3, 2019. - British far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson was jailed for contempt of court on July 11, having live-streamed a confrontation with defendants in a criminal trial that was subject to reporting restrictions. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images Tommy Robinson supporters standoff with police Police watch supporters of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, AKA Tommy Robinson, founder and former leader of the anti-Islam English Defence League (EDL), in central London on August 3, 2019, as they keep the supporters apart from counter-protesters from 'Stop Tommy Robinson' and 'Stand up to Racism'. - British far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson was jailed for contempt of court on July 11, having live-streamed a confrontation with defendants in a criminal trial that was subject to reporting restrictions. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images Tommy Robinson supporters standoff with police Tommy Robinson supporters in Oxford Street in London protesting against his prison sentence after he was jailed for nine months for contempt of court over a video he broadcast on Facebook which featured defendants in a criminal trial. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday August 3, 2019. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire Steve Parsons PA Tommy Robinson supporters standoff with police Tommy Robinson supporters in Oxford Street in London protesting against his prison sentence after he was jailed for nine months for contempt of court over a video he broadcast on Facebook which featured defendants in a criminal trial. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday August 3, 2019. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire Steve Parsons PA

The officer was dragged away from a police van and punched repeatedly over the head as he fell to the ground.

Police then moved in to push back the protesters and move the medic back towards the van. The medic was taken to hospital for treatment but did not suffer serious injury.

Robinson’s supporters were heard shouting “Whose streets, our streets” during the footage, which also showed one man confronting police while wearing a Union Jack face mask.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a total of 24 arrests were made but were not able to say which arrests related to the Tommy Robinson protest and which involved the counter-demonstration.

Three men and one woman were arrested for assaulting a police officer and two men were arrested for affray.

Thirteen men and one woman were arrested for breaching the conditions imposed on the rally, which restricted the protesters to an area in Langham Place near BBC headquarters.

Two were arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, two for affray, one for possession of class A drugs and one for possession of an offensive weapon.

“They were all taken into custody at police stations across London,” said a spokesman for the force.

Campaigners from Stand Up to Racism claimed that the Robinson protest of around 400 people was outnumbered by approximately 800 counter-demonstrators.