At least 60 protesters have been arrested in Bahrain as the government seeks to prevent further demonstrations ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix on 22 April.

Anti-government protests groups have said that the Bahraini authorities have increased the rate of arrests in the run up to Manama hosting the racing event. Protest groups claim that at least 15 protests would take place on 18 April as the last of the Formula One teams arrived in Bahrain.

The Bahrain Grand Prix in 2011 was cancelled as a result of the political unrest that began in February that year. At least 77 protesters have been killed since the first demonstrations were held on 14 February last year, according to the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.