UK police arrest 55 after armed men occupy temple

UK: 55 people have been arrested and bladed weapons seized by police after dozens of men occupied a Sikh temple in central England on Sunday.

A Sikh youth group said it was protesting the use of the temple for interfaith weddings.

According to the Warwickshire Police force, officers were called early Sunday morning to the Gurdwara Sahib Leamington and Warwick temple in Leamington Spa. An initial police report said the group consisted of 20 to 30 people.

Hours later police said they had arrested 55 people on suspicion of aggravated trespass but said no one was wounded.

The police also said a "a significant number" of bladed weapons were seized.

Some Sikh men wear a ceremonial dagger known as a kirpan.

Police said the incident wasn't connected to terrorism, but was "an escalation of an ongoing local dispute".

A group called the Sikh Youth Birmingham said on its Facebook page that a peaceful protest was taking place against an interfaith wedding due to be held at the temple adding that they were upholding the "sanctity" of the Sikh religious wedding ceremony.

Some Sikhs had formerly objected to mixed-faith weddings taking place at Sikh temples.