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Thousands of officers deployed as crowds gather for London protests
TL;DR
Over 4,000 police officers are deployed in London for rival protests, including a far-right march and a pro-Palestinian demonstration. The Metropolitan Police is implementing significant security measures, including live facial recognition cameras.
Key points
- Over 4,000 police officers deployed in London
- Rival protests include a far-right march and pro-Palestinian demonstration
- Police using drones, horses, dogs, and armoured vehicles
- First use of live facial recognition cameras for protest policing
- FA Cup Final also taking place in London on the same day
Mentioned in this story
Tommy RobinsonLondon
FA Cup Final
More than 4,000 police officers have been deployed to London on Saturday, as crowds start to gather for two rival protests in the capital.
Police will use drones, police horses and dogs and have armoured vehicles on standby. Officers will also manage a so-called "sterile zone" between the Unite the Kingdom march, organised by far-right figure Tommy Robinson, and a pro-Palestinian demonstration.
The Metropolitan Police has called it one of the most significant policing operations in years.
In addition to the protests, tens of thousands of football fans are expected at Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup Final on Saturday afternoon.
The Met said the risks from the protests meant it had to impose the "highest degree of control", including the first use of live facial recognition cameras as part of a protest policing operation.
Live facial recognition will be used at Euston and King's Cross St Pancras train stations, where people attending the Unite the Kingdom march are likely to arrive.
Eleven foreign "far-right agitators" have been blocked from entering the country to attend the Unite the Kingdom event, the government said on Friday.
Among the 11 blocked from entering the UK is the US-based, anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez, who attended the first Unite the Kingdom march last September.
In a statement on Friday, Sir Keir Starmer said: "We're in a fight for the soul of this country, and the Unite the Kingdom march this weekend is a stark reminder of exactly what we are up against.
"Its organisers are peddling hatred and division, plain and simple. We will block those coming into the UK who seek to incite hatred and violence.
"For anyone who sets out to wreak havoc on our streets, to intimidate or threaten anyone, you can expect to face the full force of the law."
Ahead of the march on Saturday, Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, wrote in a post on X: "Today, we Unite the Kingdom and the West in the greatest patriotic display the world has ever seen.
"The establishment has shown their hands early, and clearly don't want the people united. Tough! It's happening!"
There are strict controls on where the marches can go and and what time they must finish.
Protesters attending the Unite the Kingdom march are due to gather in Kingsway before heading to Whitehall and a rally in Parliament Square.
The separate pro-Palestinian march, commemorating Nakba Day, begins in Kensington, before heading to Waterloo Place via Piccadilly.
John Rees from Stop the War, one of the organisers of the pro-Palestinian march, said it happens on the same day every year, and questioned why the Unite the Kingdom march was allowed to also take place on 16 May.
Q&A
What are the main reasons for the police deployment in London on Saturday?
The police deployment is due to two rival protests, one organized by far-right figure Tommy Robinson and another supporting Palestine.
How many police officers are involved in the London protests security operation?
More than 4,000 police officers have been deployed to manage the protests in London.
What security measures are being used during the London protests?
The Metropolitan Police will use drones, police horses, dogs, armoured vehicles, and live facial recognition cameras.
What other major event is happening in London on the same day as the protests?
The FA Cup Final is taking place at Wembley Stadium, with tens of thousands of football fans expected to attend.
