The Metropolitan Police has set out its plans for a busy three days of protests and events across London, with extra officers brought in from other parts of the country to help.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is leading the operation, said: “This is going to be a particularly busy few days in London with many simultaneous protests and events that will require a significant policing presence. I’m grateful not just to the Met officers who will be working incredibly hard over the coming days but to those colleagues from other forces who have been deployed to London to support us.
“Our role in the context of protest remains as it always has been – to police without fear or favour, to enforce the law, to keep the peace by ensuring groups with opposing views do not come together and to prevent serious disorder and serious disruption to ordinary people going about their lives.
“There is no doubt that the scale of the public order policing operation will put pressure on our resources, but Londoners can be assured that we have plans in place that will allow us continue to police in communities across all 32 boroughs, responding to emergencies and keeping the public safe.”
Friday 8 August
On Friday afternoon, officers will be in areas including hotels in Islington and Canary Wharf used to accommodate asylum seekers, in anticipation of possible protests and counter-protests.
Police will also be present at local protests against Israeli military action in Gaza, due to take place in Tower Hamlets, Putney and Westminster. Last week, a protest in Westminster organised by the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network led to 36 arrests after a group blocked the road at Oxford Circus.
Saturday 9 August
On Saturday, the Palestine Coalition — which includes the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War and other groups — will hold a march from Russell Square to Whitehall, followed by speeches. Police say they are not aware of any organised counter-protest.
Another protest is expected in Parliament Square organised by Defend Our Juries, where participants are expected to break the law by holding placards supporting the proscribed group Palestine Action.
DAC Adelekan said: “What sets this protest apart from others is participants are coming out not just to express a view, but with the aim of being arrested in very large numbers to place a strain on the police and the wider criminal justice system.
“The Met is very experienced at dealing with large scale protests, including where the protest activity crosses into criminality requiring arrests. While we will not go into the specific details of our plan, the public can be assured that we will have the resources and processes in place to respond to any eventuality.
“Anyone showing support for Palestine Action can expect to be arrested. I would once again urge people to consider the seriousness of that outcome. An arrest under the Terrorism Act can have very real long-term implications – from travel, to employment, to finances. Also, as we have seen this week, it is very likely an arrest in these circumstances will lead to a charge.”
Sunday 10 August
On Sunday, the FA Community Shield match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace will take place at Wembley. Police expect some Crystal Palace fans to gather in central London ahead of the match and will have officers on patrol.
In the afternoon, from 3pm, there will be a ‘National March for the Hostages’ in central London organised by Stop the Hate and several Jewish organisations. Officers will also be in Canary Wharf again for a planned protest and possible counter-protest relating to asylum seeker accommodation.
The police can use powers under the Public Order Act to prevent serious disruption or disorder. This can include start and finish times, march routes and assembly locations.
At this stage, conditions have only been imposed on the Palestine Coalition protest on Saturday. These require participants to form up in a set location from 12 noon, follow the agreed route without stopping for static assemblies, and remain in the designated area for the speeches. The event must finish by 5.30pm.
The Met says details of any further conditions will be shared on its X (formerly Twitter) account.
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