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Extra police and volunteer stewards are being drafted in ahead of protest marches in London at the weekend that will attract about 140,000 people.
Deputy assistant commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is in charge of policing for the rallies, welcomed the extra stewards committed by protest organisers as he announced more than 1,500 police officers would be on duty.
He said the war in Gaza and Israel has stoked fears among London’s Muslim and Jewish populations.
About 100,000 people are expected to march from Park Lane to Whitehall for a pro-Palestine rally. A second march, organised by the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, is expected to attract between 40,000 to 50,000 people and start at the Royal Courts of Justice.
There will also be a protest organised by Hizb-ut-Tahrir outside the Egyptian embassy.
“The conflict in the Middle East is continuing and here in London we are still seeing the cumulative impact of continued protest, increasing tensions, and rising hate crime,” Mr Adelekan said.
“That fear and anxiety is particularly felt by our Jewish and Muslim communities. We know a lot more about the cumulative impact of these protests than we did seven weeks ago and that is reflected in our approach.”
Policing will be robust, with trained spotters watching for illegal actions, including “hate placards” and chants.
Police will use technology to identify and track offenders within the large groups of people.
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A protester attends a gathering in Belgrave Square, calling for a 'Ceasefire Now', during a demonstration organised by the group Jews For Palestine, in London on Saturday, before a 'National March For Palestine'. AFP -
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators set off in London on Armistice Day in what was one of the largest political marches in British history. AFP -
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had described a planned march in London on Saturday - Armistice Day, when Britain honours its war dead - as "provocative and disrespectful" and suggested London's Metropolitan Police ban it. AFP -
Police said the march in support of Palestinians does not meet the legal threshold for requesting a government order to stop it going ahead. AFP -
A remembrance for the children who have been killed in Israeli air strikes since the beginning of the Israel-Gaza war at the steps of Trafalgar Square as part of the demonstration. Getty Images -
Many women were taking part in the march. EPA -
Protesters gather with placards and flags in central London. AFP -
A coalition of groups are behind the march including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends of Al Aqsa, Stop the War Coalition, Muslim Association of Britain, Palestinian Forum in Britain and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. EPA -
A protestor wearing a face mask and a Palestinian flag takes part in the 'National March For Palestine' in central London. AFP -
Members of the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community take part in the 'National March For Palestine' in central London. AFP -
Police officers patrol Parliament Square with far-right counter-protesters nearby -
A man is detained by police officers on the day of a protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza in London. Reuters -
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson with counter-protesters in London's Chinatown. PA
More than 1,500 officers will be on duty at the weekend, including 500 from outside London.
“We’ve been working positively with organisers, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, to ensure everyone taking part in protests clearly understands our expectations,” Mr Adelekan said.
“We are very pleased that the PSC has brought in extra stewards and that they’ve agreed to be clear in their communications about how supporters must behave.
“As you would expect, this sets out that anyone who is racist or incites hatred against any group should expect to be arrested. As should anyone who supports Hamas or any other banned organisation.
“We will not tolerate anyone who celebrates or promote acts of terrorism – such as the killing or kidnap of innocent people – or who spreads hate speech. ”
Mr Adelekan said chants using the word “jihad” were causing upset and concern in the Jewish community but were “always contextual”.
Asked about reports that far-right activist Tommy Robinson could attend the protest, Mr Adelekan said he was “not welcome” at the march and would be engaged by officers.
Mr Robinson was seen among the crowds of counter-protesters who clashed with police during protests held on Armistice Day this month.
