"An unprecedented police operation took place in London today as tens of thousands of people attended marches through the centre of the capital. Armoured vehicles, police horses, dogs, drones and helicopters were deployed along with thousands of officers as the Met aimed to avoid clashes between far-right activist Tommy Robinson's Unite the Kingdom march, and those taking part in the pro-Palestine Nakba 78 rally and counter march against the far right."
"Both marches have now concluded, with the Metropolitan Police saying that 43 people had been arrested for offences across the two marches, as of 7.30pm. The force also said that four officers were assaulted - none of them seriously - with a further six officers subjected to hate crime offences, while there were 22 additional arrests at the FA Cup Final."
"Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. But anyone spreading hate or committing acts of violence will face the full force of the law. The 4.5million security operation comes as officers also policed the FA cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City."
"The Nakba 78 protest and counter demonstration to the far-right march started in Exhibition Road, in South Kensington, ending in Pall Mall."
Tens of thousands attended two opposing marches in central London, prompting an extensive police deployment. Armoured vehicles, police horses, dogs, drones, helicopters, and thousands of officers were used to prevent clashes between a far-right march by Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom and pro-Palestine Nakba 78 demonstrations and a counter march against the far right. Both marches ended, with the Metropolitan Police reporting 43 arrests for offences across the events as of 7.30pm. The police also reported four officers were assaulted without serious injury and six officers faced hate-crime offences. Additional arrests occurred at the FA Cup Final, where officers were also deployed. The Home Secretary emphasized the right to protest alongside enforcement against hate and violence.
#london-policing #protests-and-demonstrations #far-right-activism #pro-palestine-rallies #public-safety-and-arrests
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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