Increased police patrols for planned protests around Middle East conflict
Restrictions are in place for two demos; and the Met's expecting other protests in affected communities
Police patrols are being stepped up around key London sites and communities most affected by the conflict in the Middle East this weekend.
The Met say they expect further protests at the Iranian Embassy, Parliament Square and Whitehall - with restrictions on times and locations (see below) for the Stage for Freedom event against Iran's government and a counter-protest organised by Stop the War.
There could also be further demonstrations in parts of north-west London, where last weekend they passed off peacefully with only a few arrests.
The Met say there was no disorder between opposing groups and protest organisers largely engaged positively with officers for which they're grateful.
Statement from Deputy Assistant Commissioner:
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.”
Restrictions in place at planned protests
The ‘Stage for Freedom’ protest against the Government in Iran will take place this afternoon (Sat 7 March) marching from Whitehall to Kensington Road.
A Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption has been imposed.
Participants of the protest must remain on the route shown below:
The post-march rally must finish by 5pm.. 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.
The ‘Hands off Iran’ protest organised by Stop the War, against the United States and Israeli involvement in the conflict will also take place this afternoon marching from Millbank to the United States Embassy via Vauxhall Bridge. The post-march rally must finish by 5pm.
Participants of the protest must remain on the route shown below:
The protest must assemble in the shaded area below:
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