Plans are well under way for another significant policing operation across London this weekend.
Whereas in previous weeks the focus has been on large pro-Palestinian demonstrations focused on Westminster and surrounding areas, this weekend will see smaller events in a number of London boroughs.
Local officers will lead the policing of protests outside central London but they will be supported by whatever additional resources are required from across the Met.
Met officers are also working with our counterparts at the British Transport Police to support any response that is required should demonstrations take place on or near the transport network.
Officers will also be on duty in communities across London, responding to 999 calls and providing a reassuring presence. In particular, we will target our deployments in those areas with significant Jewish or Muslim communities who we know continue to experience increased uncertainty and fear in light of events in the Middle East and their impact here in London.
On Sunday, officers will be involved in the security and policing operation to ensure remembrance events that traditionally occur the week after Remembrance Sunday, including those organised by the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women, can take place in safety and security, and without disruption.
T/Commander Karen Findlay, who is leading the operation, said: “Whilst there is no single large central protest event on Saturday, our policing priorities remain the same across the local events that are due to take place.
“We are here to ensure that people can exercise their right to protest but to make sure that is done lawfully, and that unreasonable disruption to the lives of other Londoners is kept to a minimum.
“Our officers will intervene swiftly where they see offences taking place. In particular I want to reiterate that there is no place for hate in London. Hate crime will not be tolerated.
“Regrettably, while the majority of protesters coming out in recent weeks have been peaceful, we have continued to see people taking part in offensive chanting or intentionally carrying placards that cross the line from political statements into racially or religiously aggravated offences.
“By all means come out and protest to make your voice heard as is your right, but if your aim is to offend, to incite hatred, or to cause fear and intimidation then you should stay away.
“I would appeal to anyone who is at a protest and sees behaviour that crosses the line from protest into criminality to challenge it or to speak to an officer so that we can take appropriate action. We will respond quickly to incidents as soon as we become aware of them.”
Earlier this week, a group that broke away from a pro-Palestinian protest in Westminster made their way to Hyde Park Corner where a number of people were filmed climbing on the Royal Artillery Memorial.
Officers intervened to get those involved to come down which they did, but there has been significant discussion, particularly on social media, about whether further action should have been taken.
T/Commander Findlay added: “There will be situations where the actions of protesters are clearly inappropriate or disrespectful. It is a challenge for officers where no explicit law exists that makes the actions of protesters unlawful and where the context means other legislation may not apply.
“However, we have made our expectations clear to officers who will be on duty this weekend. At a minimum they are to intervene decisively when they see behaviour which is obviously disrespectful, using their skills in dealing with the public as they do every day.
“They will be looking to take positive action, including arrests, as soon as disrespectful behaviour becomes disorderly behaviour of the sort covered by a number of public order offences. They will also intervene where necessary to prevent a breach of the peace.
“Protesters intent on climbing over memorials and other monuments should also keep in mind that they weren’t designed for this purpose, making them prone to damage which will likely constitute a criminal offence.
“There is clear legislation in place to deal with damage of any sort, even if it is minimal or was caused recklessly and not intentionally.”
In addition to the programme of planned pro-Palestinian demonstrations, Just Stop Oil (JSO) will be holding a march around lunchtime in the South Bank area.
This is the third week of action by JSO. The group continues to send activists to walk slowly on London’s roads, on an almost daily basis, in an effort to cause serious disruption.
Since 30 October, 562 activists have been arrested; 296 have so far been charged.
We know some people have asked why JSO activists can be arrested so quickly in comparison to other groups.
New legislation, under Section 7 of the Public Order Act, provides officers with specific powers to arrest where groups are intentionally going out to disproportionately interfere with key national infrastructure, which includes ‘road transport infrastructure’.
Relevant updates on the policing operation throughout the weekend will be posted on the Met’s X/Twitter account – @metpoliceuk.
