Met sets out public order conditions ahead of the weekend

A policing operation will take place this weekend covering a march organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and a counter protest by Stop the Hate.

On Saturday, 30 November the PSC will hold their 21st protest since October 2023. The Met has engaged with the PSC to finalise a route and timings of the event and to help provide clarity to those taking part the Met has imposed conditions on the protest to minimise any disruption.

Each event requires substantial amount of planning in the context of various events and day-to-day business happening across the capital. There have been regular and significant numbers of protestors on the streets of London and this has had a cumulative impact on our communities. The Met’s goal is to protect the lawful right to protest while minimising the impact of these events on those who live, work and visit London.

Ahead of this weekend there has been significant negotiation and engagement with event organisers, as well as with those who will be impacted, including the Jewish community and local businesses.

This weekend is expected to be one of the busiest shopping weeks ahead of Christmas and this has to be taken into account to allow people intending to visit central London and businesses to operate without serious disruption.

Central London will be busier this weekend due to several planned events and protests. Those travelling to the surrounding area should plan their journeys and check before they travel. People attending the protest are advised to use Victoria and Bond Street station.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell, who is leading this weekend’s policing operation, said:

“Ahead of the weekend we have been in regular discussions with the PSC, counter protesters Stop the Hate, as well as faith and community groups – particularly the Jewish community who we know continue to be impacted by protests – residents, and businesses.

“We expect this weekend to be very busy with many people shopping during the Black Friday sales, and visiting the capital ahead of the festive period, including Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park which is nearby. 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 will deal with any offences.”

The PSC march will form up on the southern end of Park Lane away from Marble Arch from 1130 hours before proceeding down Park Lane between 1245 hours and 1315 hours, finishing in Whitehall where an assembly with speeches will take place.

Following the march, anyone participating in the assembly for speeches must remain in a defined area on Whitehall. The assembly must conclude by 1630 or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the speeches, whichever is earlier.

Stop the Hate will hold a counter protest on Coventry Street, W1D on the route of the PSC procession. Replicating the approach to the PSC, we have engaged and agreed the location and conditions to their protest to minimise disruption to the public.

Additional officers will be on patrol in the area engaging with faith venues, businesses, residents and other venues along the route to help minimise disruption and respond to any concerns on the day.

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 30 November the following conditions will be in place relating to the PSC event:

Assembly - Section 14(3) Public Order Act 1986

The “Palestine Solidarity Campaign” assembly in preparation for the planned procession must be held within the designated area (the red shaded area on Map 1) on Park Lane (southbound) and assembly participants must remain within that area.

The assembly must not commence before 11.30 and participants must not attend the designated area before that time.

Any tables, tents, gazebos or similar structures erected in connection with the assembly must be located within the designated area.

The distribution of any leaflets or other material by assembly participants and organisers may only take place within the designated area.

Assembly participants must remain within the designated area until such time that the procession commences, which must be after 1245 hours and before 1315 hours, in accordance with the ‘Procession’ conditions imposed.

Procession - Section 12(3) Public Order Act 1986

The “Palestine Solidarity Campaign” procession must commence between 1245 hours and 1315 hours.

Procession participants forming up at Park Lane must commence proceeding along the prescribed route (Map 2) between 1245 hours and 1315 hours.

Procession participants must not deviate from the prescribed route specified on the attached map (Map 2).

Post-procession assembly - Section 14(3) Public Order Act 1986

Any person participating in the “Palestine Solidarity Campaign” post-procession assembly must remain within the designated area (the red shaded area on Map 3).

The assembly must conclude by 16.30 or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the speeches, whichever is earlier.

On Saturday 30 November the following conditions will be in place relating to the counter protest by Stop the Hate:

Section 14(3) Public Order Act 1986

Any persons participating in the Stop the Hate assembly must remain within the designated area (the red shaded area on Map 4)

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.