More than 1,000 police officers on streets of central London for multiple protests
Last updated 27th Jul 2024
Around 1,000 officers are to be deployed to the streets of central London to try and "keep the peace" in a busy weekend of protests including a march led by right-wing activist Tommy Robinson, the Metropolitan Police have said.
His protest, set to move from the Royal Courts of Justice to a rally in Trafalgar Square on Saturday, has triggered a counter demonstration by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's Peace & Justice Project and Stand Up To Racism.
Demonstrators at this event are set to march from Russell Square and to a rally in Whitehall.
The police have already used powers under the Public Order Act to try and keep the opposing groups kept apart amid fears that serious disruption could be caused.
Participants in the protest organised by Tommy Robinson must assemble in the area shown on the map below and must remain there until the march sets off.
The march must not deviate from the route shown in the map below:
The subsequent assembly in Trafalgar Square must remain in the area shown in the map below. It must finish by 5.30pm.
Participants in the protest organised by Stand Up To Racism must not commence their procession until 1.30pm or until otherwise directed to by a police officer.
Anyone participating in the protest must not deviate from the route shown in the map below.
Anyone participating in the subsequent assembly in Whitehall must remain in the area shown on the map below. It must finish by 4pm.
Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, who is in charge of this weekend's operation, warned that police will "intervene decisively" to deal protesters who break the strict conditions about when and where they are allowed to demonstrate.
A Trans Pride event, which includes a march from Langham Place to Wellington Arch where speeches will take place is also being held on Saturday.
No conditions have been imposed in advance of the Trans Pride event, the police said.
**Our first priority is to keep the peace to ensure that those exercising their right to lawful protest can do so safely**
Mr Wingrove said a "significant number" of officers would be on duty as part of "a carefully planned operation" in an effort to keep people safe and prevent crime.
He said: "Our first priority is to keep the peace to ensure that those exercising their right to lawful protest can do so safely.
"We have proactively used our powers under the Public Order Act to manage the timings and routes of marches and assemblies, ensuring that the groups are kept apart.
"Officers will intervene decisively to deal with any breaches of those conditions, prevent crime, and to respond to any other incidents.
"Everyone has a right to feel safe and be safe in London.
"Those who abuse the right to protest in an effort to unlawfully intimidate others or to use hate speech can expect to face police action.
"The police presence will be very visible and I would urge anyone out and about in London, whether participating in these events or not, to speak to an officer if they feel unsafe or wish to report an incident."