A policing operation is set to take place today, Sunday, 1 December, in response to a march organised by the Kurdish community. The march follows the arrest of seven people on Wednesday, 27 November, on suspicions of terrorism offences linked to the PKK.
Each event requires significant planning alongside other events and day-to-day policing across the capital. The Met aims to protect the lawful right to protest while minimising the impact on those who live, work, and visit London.
Negotiation and engagement with organisers have taken place ahead of the march. With this weekend expected to be one of the busiest shopping weeks before Christmas, conditions have been considered to ensure central London remains accessible for visitors and businesses.
Chief Superintendent Joe McDonald, leading the policing operation, said: “We have spoken with the organisers of the protest to agree a route for and assembly point, as well as start and finish, to seek to minimise disruption and balance the right to protest.
“We understand the strength of feeling from the Kurdish community and want to take this opportunity to remind anyone taking part in the march that the Partiya Karkeren Kurdistani (PKK) is proscribed by the UK Government and expressing support for them is a criminal offence.
“Officers will be highly visible along the protest route and wider area to ensure the events take place safely and will deal with any offences.”
The Kurdish community will assemble on the west side of Trafalgar Square at 13:00, with the procession starting at 14:15. The route will move from Trafalgar Square, down Northumberland Avenue, along Victoria Embankment, turning into Parliament Square, and ending at Whitehall.
The protest will assemble on Whitehall in the designated area, with speeches concluding by 16:30 and the assembly ending by 17:00.
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