Six people have been charged following protest activity in central London yesterday.
Commander Karen Findlay, responsible for policing in London this week, said: “While the vast majority of people demonstrated peacefully, there were various breakaway groups whose behaviour was completely unacceptable. Our response was quick and decisive.
“Our officers have been working tirelessly to deal with the 29 individuals arrested yesterday, with six of those now charged and set to appear in court. Four of those arrested yesterday evening have been referred to their local Youth Offending Teams.
“One arrest has been made this morning for a public order offence after a man was allegedly heard making anti-Semitic comments in Parliament Square.
“We are continuing to review footage and will take positive action at every opportunity to arrest when we are alerted to crimes that are fuelled by hate.
“More than 1,300 officers were on duty on Saturday, intervening where necessary to prevent further disruption. Sadly we saw an increase in violence against them, most significantly when four officers were injured when fireworks were thrown in their direction. All bravely carried on in their duties.
“We will continue to be sharper in our response and take action on any placards being carried at protests which are inflammatory and incite racial hatred, or purport to be supporting a proscribed organisation. These are offences and any such banners or material will be assessed by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
“In addition, we received intelligence that a pamphlet purported to support Hamas was on sale at yesterday’s protest. A copy of this is being reviewed by Counter Terrorism officers.
“As in recent weeks, we have been speaking to the organisers of the pro-Palestine march to discuss yesterday’s demonstrations. We will continue to speak to them across this week as part of our ongoing planning for the weekend’s Remembrance events and will monitor and review all information available to us.
“We fully appreciate the national significance of Armistice Day. Thousands of officers will be deployed in an extensive security operation and we will use all powers and tactics at our disposal to ensure that anyone intent on disrupting it will not succeed.”
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The following were charged with failing to comply with a condition imposed under section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986:
- Fintan Owens 23 (01.01.00) of no fixed address was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Sunday, 5 November.
- Aisha Ennas 39 (19.06.84) of Lyons Place will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 22 November.
The following were charged with failing to comply with a condition imposed under section 12 of the Public Order Act 1986:
- Omar Abdelbagi 41 (07.01.82) of Wembley Park Drive, Wembley, HA9 was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Sunday, 5 November.
- Nzar Mohammed Sofi 22 (04.05.01) Parkfield Crescent, Harrow, HA2 will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 22 November.
- Dashiel Howarth 25 (06.09.98) of Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate, E7 will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 22 November.
Mohammed Chowdhury 24 (21.10.99) of Sidney Street, E1 was charged with failing to comply with a direction given under section 35 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 22 November.
