Update on anti-asylum protest activity

A total of four arrests have been made this afternoon, Sunday, 31 August, during protests on the Isle of Dogs.

A policing plan was in place with Met officers accompanying around 50-100 protesters are they marched from Manchester Road, along Westferry Road E14.

The group entered Canary Wharf shopping centre at around 16:30hrs where they stopped for a static protest – a small number of masked protesters then became aggressive towards members of the public and police.

Officers made arrests and enforced cordons in the area to prevent a breach of the peace. A Section 60 AA was put in place for the Isle of Dogs south of the A1261 to prevent people concealing their identity with masks - failure to comply can lead to arrest.

A Section 35 dispersal order was also put in place in the same area directing protesters to leave. Both orders last until midnight.

Arrests were made for common assault by a protester on a member of the public, possession of class A and B drugs, assault on police/public order offences and failure to disperse.

Commander Adam Slonecki, in charge of policing London this weekend, said: “This afternoon we have unfortunately seen more disorder, following the five arrests made yesterday in the West Drayton area.

“We had plenty of officers on the ground who moved in swiftly to deal with the criminality that occurred inside and outside the shopping centre. We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.

“Today’s protest saw many community members attend, including women and children, and we worked to ensure the safety of those there to peacefully represent their views. Those who arrive at protests masked and intent on causing trouble will continue to be dealt with robustly at future protests.

“We remain in the area to deter any further disorder and provide reassurance to local residents and businesses while also continuing our investigation into offences committed this afternoon.”