Met prepared for busy weekend in the Capital

A robust policing plan is in place for a busy weekend in the Capital.

There are 11 notable planned events, including a Million Women Rise demonstration in support of International Women’s Weekend. Also, six football matches are taking place from the top four divisions of English football and two FA Trophy quarter finals.

Officers will deal with any fans who risk the safety of others, which has been demonstrated recently with two Wealdstone fans receiving three-year football banning orders for entering the pitch and antagonising Barnet supporters.

In addition to football, there is a Palestine Solidarity Campaign demonstration in central London relating to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, with this weekend being the fifth major demonstration of the year so far.

As with all protest events, the Met will continue to police without fear or favour and remain independent, impartial and uphold the right for people to exercise their democratic right to protest.

However, this is balanced with the right for people, visitors and businesses to be able to move or operate freely. Equally, we are ensuring we are visible and responsive to our wider communities, particularly given the policing of these protests has required 35,464 officer shifts, and more than 5,200 officer rest days to be cancelled, and costs of £32.3 million.

Commander Karen Findlay, who will oversee policing across London on Saturday, said:

“To minimise the impact of the protest we have consistently used our full range of legal powers over the last five months to manage these protests, and we will be doing so again this weekend. We are clearly operating in a context where we understand our Jewish and Muslim communities continue to be highly concerned about anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim hate crime and their own sense of safety in London. We recognise the very real anxiety and fear of individuals who are worried about perceived or actual threats they are subject to.

“Our role remains to police impartially, being robust in tackling hate crime and extremism, and ensuring protest is managed within the law. We have to police to the law as it is, not as others would wish it to be.

“As is the case with all protest events, we have discussed expectations of participants with the main organisers and how stewarding can assist officers in the management of how individuals and groups conduct themselves. We have also provided information to people to clarify the clear lines in terms of what is acceptable and what is not during these protests in order to provide clarity on what constitutes the commission of criminal offences which we will understandably deal with decisively and swiftly.

“Equally people right across the Met continue to meet with community representatives, visiting and being visible at local places of worship, to ensure we are providing support and reassurance across our communities.

“This weekend we will once again be supported by colleagues from forces across the United Kingdom and I want to thank all police officers who will be working in London this weekend.”

Pre-Conditions Imposed This Weekend

Section 12 Public Order Act (2023)

Any person who is participating in the PSC march must follow the route as indicated on the map above.

Section 14 Public Order Act (2023)

A section 14 condition is also in place which requires anyone who is participating in the PSC to assemble on the south side of Park Line. This event must end and crowd dispersed by 17.00.

Anyone who fails to comply with these conditions will be dealt with by officers.