British, Australian PMs advise people not attend weekend demonstrations

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has advised people not to attend demonstrations this weekend, adding that anyone attacking public property or the police would face "the full force of the law."

"My message to everybody is that for all sorts of reasons they should not go," he told Sky News.

He also said on Friday the police would make more arrests in connection with earlier protests. "We will bring them to justice and they will face the full of the law. It is not acceptable in this country to attack a police officer, it is not acceptable to set out in a calculated way to do damage to public property," he said.

Australian Prime Minister also warned the public against attending upcoming rallies, saying attendance went against health advice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This is not about the issue, this is about people's health and welfare and I would urge Australians to respect that by not attending those events," Morrison said. 

"I don't believe there should be a double standard. Australians have made great sacrifices to get us where we are today." 

Meanwhile, Paris police issued a statement and urged businesses to take precautions prior to protests in the weekend.

"Owners must put in place protection against damage and close all terraces and stalls which should be empty of anything that can be used as a missile or weapon," the statement said.

"A requisition has been made to the Mayor of Paris so that all objects that could serve as missiles may be removed and building sites on the protest route will be secured."

(With input from agencies)