Thousands of officers deployed as crowds gather for London protests

"More than 4,000 police officers have been deployed to London on Saturday, as crowds start to gather for two rival protests in the capital. Police will use drones, police horses and dogs and have armoured vehicles on standby. Officers will also manage a so-called "sterile zone" between the Unite the Kingdom march, organised by far-right figure Tommy Robinson, and a pro-Palestinian demonstration. The Metropolitan Police has called it one of the most significant policing operations in years."

"The Met said the risks from the protests meant it had to impose the "highest degree of control", including the first use of live facial recognition cameras as part of a protest policing operation. Live facial recognition will be used at Euston and King's Cross St Pancras train stations, where people attending the Unite the Kingdom march are likely to arrive."

"Sir Keir Starmer said: "We're in a fight for the soul of this country, and the Unite the Kingdom march this weekend is a stark reminder of exactly what we are up against. "Its organisers are peddling hatred and division, plain and simple. We will block those coming into the UK who seek to incite hatred and violence. "For anyone who sets out to wreak havoc on our streets, to intimidate or threaten anyone, you can expect to face the full force of the law.""

"Ahead of the march on Saturday, Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, wrote in a post on X: "Today, we Unite the Kingdom and the West in the greatest patriotic display the world has ever seen. "The establishment has shown their hands early, and clearly don't want the people united. Tough! It's happening!" There are strict controls on where the marches can go and and what time they must finish."

More than 4,000 police officers have been deployed in London as crowds gather for two rival protests. Police will use drones, police horses and dogs, with armoured vehicles on standby. A sterile zone will be managed between the Unite the Kingdom march, organised by Tommy Robinson, and a pro-Palestinian demonstration. The Metropolitan Police described the operation as one of the most significant in years and imposed the highest degree of control. Live facial recognition cameras will be used at Euston and King’s Cross St Pancras stations, where people attending the Unite the Kingdom march are likely to arrive. Tens of thousands of football fans are also expected at Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup Final.

Read at www.bbc.com