Met sets out policing approach ahead of weekend protests

The Met has confirmed details of the policing operation ahead of a protest and counter protest in central London on Saturday, 15 February.

A march organised by groups under the Palestine Coalition banner will assemble in Whitehall from noon, before proceeding to area around the US Embassy in Nine Elms Lane in the vicinity of the US Embassy. The march will go via Millbank and Vauxhall Bridge. Once at the destination, speeches will take place.

A protest organised by the group known as ‘Stop the Hate’ will hold a static counter protest at the junction of Grosvenor Road and Vauxhall Bridge which is on the route of the Palestine Coalition march. There will be a significant policing presence to ensure that while the groups are within sight and sound of each other, they cannot physically come together.

Commander Glen Pavelin, who will oversee this weekend’s policing operation, said: “We have been in touch with the organisers of both protests in the lead up to Saturday and we will have a significant number of officers deployed in the central London boroughs where events will take place. Our role is to ensure all those exercising their right to protest can do so without incident and without causing serious disruption to the lives of the wider community.

“We have imposed conditions under the Public Order Act, in relation to routes, assembly areas and start and finish times, to ensure that is the case. I would ask anyone attending to familiarise themselves with the conditions, which are set out below. Breaching conditions, or inciting others to do so, is a criminal offence.

“As with any large gathering or event, we would encourage people to keep their eyes and ears open and to report anything suspicious by calling 999 or by speaking to an officer. They are there to keep everyone safe.”

Details of the conditions are set out below:

The Palestine Coalition protest must form up in Whitehall in the area shown on the map below. The procession must set off by 13:00hrs.

Those taking part in the Palestine Coalition protest must not deviate from the agreed route shown on the map below. The march must keep moving, without separate static assemblies forming along the route.

Anyone taking part in the assembly following the Palestine Coalition march must remain in the area of Nine Elms Lane shown in purple on the map below. The stage must be erected at the position marked with the blue rectangle.

The speeches and any use of amplified equipment must end by 16:00hrs, with all participants dispersed and any infrastructure removed by 17:00hrs.

Anyone participating in the Stop the Hate static assembly must remain in the area shown on the map below, which is at the junction of Millbank, Bessborough Gardens, Grosvenor Road and Vauxhall Bridge.

Those taking part cannot begin to assemble before 12:00hrs and they must disperse by 15:30hrs.