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London Police Deploy 4000 Officers for Rival Protests Saturday
Metropolitan Police will mount what it called an unprecedented operation involving 4000 officers, armoured vehicles, drones and facial recognition to keep apart an anti-immigration rally and a pro-Palestinian Nakba Day march expected to draw at least 80000 people. The force cited heightened terrorism threat level, recent antisemitic attacks and the added strain of the FA Cup final at Wembley.
May 13, 2:07 PM·2m read2 sources
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London police announced on Wednesday they would mount what they described as an unprecedented operation this weekend to prevent violence when an anti-immigration rally and a pro-Palestinian march converge on the British capital on Saturday. More than 4000 officers will be deployed across the events, supported by dog units, helicopters, drones, horses, armoured vehicles and live facial recognition cameras for the first time at a demonstration.
The Metropolitan Police said the scale of the plan, costing £4.5 million, reflected significant cause for concern amid a raised national terrorism threat level and recent antisemitic incidents including arson attacks on Jewish sites and the stabbing of two Jewish men last month.
At least 80000 people are expected for the two demonstrations. The annual Nakba Day march commemorates the displacement of Palestinians after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war while the Unite the Kingdom rally is organised by an anti-Islam activist. Both will take place in central London on the same day as the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, adding to policing pressures.
Police stated they will impose the highest degree of control on both protests, including strict conditions on routes to prevent the groups from coming together. Officers diverted from normal duties, including 660 from outside London, will be equipped with riot gear and authorised to use enhanced public order powers to stop and search potential troublemakers and disperse them from central areas.
The force warned that organisers will be held personally responsible for the conduct of speakers on stages. Specialist teams will stand ready to make swift arrests for hate speech crimes, including potentially inflammatory chanting at either event. Police have previously prosecuted individuals for offensive chanting and placards inciting hatred.
