News -
Met sets out policing plan ahead of a busy weekend of events in London
Update and information on the policing operation for events in London this weekend.
In relation to the PSC event, our goal has been to protect the lawful right to protest whilst minimising the impact of these events on those who live, work and visit London.
We have engaged with the PSC and agreed a route and timings of the event. To help provide clarity to those taking part and to assist their travel plans we have imposed conditions on the protest to minimise any disruption.
The PSC march will form up in Whitehall from midday and commence at 12.45, proceeding across Vauxhall Bridge to Nine Elms where a rally will take place near the US Embassy, concluding by 16.00.
‘Stop The Hate UK’ will hold a counter protest on the corner of Millbank and Vauxhall Bridge to voice opposition to the PSC march. Replicating the approach to the PSC, we have engaged and agreed the location and conditions to their protest to minimise disruption to the public.
A large ticketed fireworks event in Battersea Park is taking place in the early evening. We call on participants of the PSC march to conclude promptly at 16.00 and all protestors to consider their travel plans carefully as public transport and venues throughout the area will be extremely busy.
We encourage participants of the ‘Stop The Hate UK’ protest to head towards Pimlico and Victoria Stations, and those on the PSC march to head away from Battersea and towards Vauxhall when leaving the area and to check online for the latest travel information.
Officers are engaging in advance with businesses, residents and venues along the route to help minimise disruption and respond to any concerns on the day.
Commander Adam Slonecki, who is leading this weekend’s policing operation, said: "Ahead of the weekend we have been in regular discussions with the PSC as well as residents, partners, community groups and businesses. It’s a busy weekend of events across London and we have worked with organisers to seek to minimise disruption and balance the right to protest.
“Officers will be highly visible along the protest route and wider area to ensure the events take place safely and deal with any offences.”
Conditions
The Public Order Act gives the police the power to impose conditions on a procession or assembly of two or more people who are deemed to have a common purpose.
Conditions can be imposed either in advance of an event or by the senior officer present during an event.
On Saturday 2 November the following conditions will be in place relating to the PSC event.
Section 12(3) of the Public Order Act 1986:
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign procession must commence no later than 12.45.
Procession participants forming up at Whitehall must commence proceeding along the prescribed route by 12.45.
Procession participants must not deviate from the prescribed route specified on the attached map.
Procession participants must proceed continuously along the prescribed route and not form up into static assemblies until reaching the final assembly point on Nine Elms Lane.
Section 14(3) Public Order Act 1986
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign assembly in preparation for the planned procession must be held within the specified location on Whitehall, SW1 (see Map) and assembly participants must remain within that area.
Assembly participants must remain within the shaded area of the attached map until such time that the procession commences, which must be no later than 12.45, in accordance with the ‘Procession’ conditions imposed.
Any person participating in the Palestine Solidarity Campaign post-procession assembly must remain within the shaded area (purple) of Nine Elms Lane, SW11 on the map below.
Any stage erected for the assembly must be in the specified area (blue) on the map below.
The use of the stage and amplified noise equipment must cease by 16.00 and the assembly must conclude, including removal of stage and infrastructure by 1700hrs.
On Saturday 2 November the following conditions will be in place relating to the 'Stop The Hate UK' assembly:
Section 14(3) Public Order Act 1986
Any person participating in the ‘Stop the Hate UK’ assembly must remain in the shaded area on the map below, on the corner of Millbank and Vauxhall Bridge.
Warning regarding expressing support for proscribed organisations
London is global city and with people joining events from across the country and around the world it is important to reiterate that expressing support for a proscribed organisation in the UK is a criminal offence.
Under the Terrorism Act 2000 (TACT), the Home Secretary may proscribe an organisation if they believe it is concerned in terrorism and it is proportionate to do so.
Proscription makes it a criminal offence to invite or express support for a proscribed organisation through chanting, wearing clothing or display articles such as flags, signs or logos.
Hamas and Hizballah are proscribed by the UK Government and expressing support for them is a criminal offence.
Hamas has been proscribed since 2021 - both political and military wings are proscribed under UK jurisdiction.
Hizballah has been proscribed since 2019.
You can read more about proscribed terrorist groups or organisations on the UK Government Website
It is a criminal offence to:
- belong, or profess to belong, to a proscribed organisation in the UK or overseas (Section 11 TACT)
- invite support for a proscribed organisation (Section 12(1A) TACT)
- express an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation (Section 12(1A) TACT)
- arrange, manage or assist in arranging or managing a meeting in the knowledge that the meeting is to support or further the activities of a proscribed organisation, or is to be addressed by a person who belongs or professes to (Section 12(2) TACT)
- wear clothing or carry or display articles in public in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that the individual is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation (Section 13 TACT)
- publish an image of an item of clothing or other article, such as a flag or logo, in the same circumstances (Section 13(1A) TACT)
Officers policing events will deal with any offences. If you have any concerns during an event speak to a police officer or event steward.
If you see material supporting terrorism online report it – visit www.gov.uk/ACT
You can also report suspicious activity by contacting the police in confidence on 0800 789 321
In an emergency, or if you need urgent police assistance, you should always dial 999.
