Update ahead of public order policing this weekend

The Met has stepped up patrols around key sites and in the most affected communities following the outbreak of further conflict in the Middle East.

Last weekend saw further protest in opposition to the government in Iran as well as protest either in support of the government, in opposition to military action or a combination thereof.

Much of this protest focused on key sites in central London including the Iranian Embassy, Parliament Square and Whitehall but we also saw gatherings in communities particularly in north west London.

Almost all protest activity was peaceful and events passed off with only a minimal number of arrests. There was no disorder between opposing groups and protest organisers largely engaged positively with officers for which we’re grateful.

We expect further protest this weekend and details of the conditions in place for those events can be found below.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman, who is responsible for public order policing, said:

“London is a global city, home to communities of all faiths and nationalities and it is not unusual to see the impact of events taking place thousands of miles away playing out on our streets. For those who now call London home but who came here from countries now caught up in conflict, many will be concerned about the safety or family members or friends.

“It is inevitable that strong feelings will result in protest or other forms of public assembly. The role of the police is not to try limit that freedom of expression, but to ensure that it doesn’t result in disorder and that it doesn’t cause others to be threatened or intimidated. We will ensure that ordinary life in London can still go on without protests being the cause of serious disruption.

“Protest in central London, in the vicinity of government buildings and diplomatic premises, is commonplace. Our policing plans for such events are well tested and used frequently. They focus on protecting the right to protest while ensuring anyone who needs access to sites – whether for work, or to visit or conduct business – is not subject to intimidation or threats. If that means keeping protesters at an appropriate distance then we will do that.

“Protests taking place in residential communities outside central London are not as routine and as such they have greater potential both for serious disruption and being the cause of increased concern and fear.

“We have a duty to make sure people can go about their lives without being intimidated and where necessary we will proactively intervene. This intervention may include the imposition of conditions on protests to prevent them from taking place in specified locations to protect members of that community. This may include, for example, preventing anti-Israeli protests taking place in Jewish communities or taking steps to ensure particular communities do not feel harassed by anti-Iran protests taking place where they live. Each protest will be assessed individually.

“We are in ongoing discussions with key partners across London. We meet with regularly with representatives from Muslim and Jewish communities and in recent weeks we have stepped up our engagement with Iranian groups.”

Conditions have been put in place for events this weekend.

1.

The ‘Stage for Freedom’ protest against the Government in Iran will take place tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, 7 March, marching from Whitehall to Kensington Road. We have imposed Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption.

Participants of the protest must remain on the route shown below:

The post-march rally must finish by 17:00hrs. No amplified noise equipment can be used for music or speeches.

Instruments may not be used and other objects must not be banged to create noise. This is to limit the disturbance to people living nearby.

2.

The ‘Hands off Iran’ protest organised by Stop the War, against the United States and Israeli involvement in the conflict will also take place tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, 7 March, marching from Millbank to the United States Embassy via Vauxhall Bridge. The post-march rally must finish by 17:00hrs.

Participants of the protest must remain on the route shown below:

The protest must assemble in the shaded area below: