UPDATED: Arrests following protest on Whitehall

UPDATE:

This evening during a planned protest on Whitehall some disorder took place.

Officers acted to ensure the disorder was contained.

Over 100 people have been arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions.

Some officers suffered minor injuries.

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The Met is aware of a protest badged as ‘Enough is Enough’ on Whitehall from 19:00hrs until 20:30hrs tonight.

Officers will be deployed to the area to ensure the protest is carried out lawfully and we have stepped up our support across London with more officers working in local communities too.

The police’s role is to protect the lawful right to protest while preventing serious disruption to the wider community. Police do not have the power to ban protest unless there is a risk of serious disorder. 

The Met has engaged with protestors in relation to the start time, location and end time of the protest. Powers are being used to place conditions on the protests to minimise disruption to Londoners and balance the rights of all.  

Pre-Event Conditions under Section 14 Public Order Act include:

• Any person participating in the “Enough is Enough” protest in Whitehall on 31 July must remain in the shaded area on the map [1].
• The rally must conclude by 20:30hrs and disperse.

Superintendent Neil Holyoak, who is leading tonight’s policing operation, said:  

“Following the tragic events in Southport, it is understandable the public have strong feelings about this shocking incident - but the subsequent violent, unlawful disorder that unfolded was completely unacceptable and driven by misinformation.

“Everyone has a right to protest and we continue to balance the right to lawful protest with everyone’s right to go about their lives without fear or serious disruption - which is why we have put conditions in place and deployed more officers across London.

“We are speaking to the protest organisers as well as local community groups, businesses and religious leaders, in particular the Muslim community who have been impacted by this week’s disorder in Southport.

“I urge everyone to exercise their right to protest calmly and within the law. Any disorder will be dealt with swiftly.”