Tens of thousands of people are anticipated to flood London today for two significant demonstrations amid a massive £4.5 million police operation. Armoured vehicles, police horses, dogs, drones and helicopters will be deployed alongside thousands of officers as the Met attempts to prevent confrontations between Tommy Robinson's Unite the Kingdom march and the pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally.
Prosecutors Issue Fresh Guidance on Protest Hate Speech
Prosecutors have been instructed to consider whether protest placards, banners and chants seen on social media may constitute offences of inciting hatred during the rallies. The fresh guidance, issued ahead of what police have described as an "unprecedented" security operation, encourages prosecutors to evaluate whether slogans, symbols or chants may influence audiences online if they are recorded and circulated.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the updated advice is intended to reflect "the changing international context" and follows separate guidance concerning the fast-tracking of hate crime prosecutions issued earlier this month. The guidance instructs prosecutors to consider the broader context surrounding protests, including heightened tensions linked to national or international events.
Recent criminal cases have seen suspects charged after shouting "death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)" and "globalise the intifada". Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson said: "This is not about restricting free speech. It is about preventing hate crime and protecting the public, particularly at a time of heightened tensions. Where the line into criminality is crossed, we will not hesitate to prosecute."
The CPS confirmed that offences of stirring up hatred under the Public Order Act 1986 carry maximum prison sentences of seven years. The Government has also barred 11 foreign nationals described by Sir Keir Starmer as "far-right agitators" from entering the UK ahead of the Unite the Kingdom rally.
Prime Minister Visits Police Command Centre
During a visit to a Metropolitan Police command centre in Lambeth, the Prime Minister declared that the Unite the Kingdom organisers were "peddling hatred and division, plain and simple". He further stated: "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."
Sir Keir conducted his visit alongside Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan ahead of the weekend's planned rallies. Sir Mark, seated in the gold command suite with live CCTV footage of various parts of the capital displayed before him, told Sir Keir: "We've got a time when hate crime has been escalated for the last two or three years. And then 'small p' politics and protest groups who have got more polarised and angry, and so both groups at the weekend have a track record of having an intimidatory effect on the communities."
Commander Clair Haynes also informed the Prime Minister that drones would be deployed to monitor both protest routes for "potential clashes or flashes", while officers at Wembley would keep watch on CCTV feeds from the FA Cup final to identify supporters making their way towards the demonstrations.
New Powers and Technology Deployed
For the first time under official protest restrictions, rally organisers will face prosecution alongside any speakers who break the law by using the events as a platform for extremism or hate speech. Live facial recognition technology will be deployed in a protest policing operation for the first time, with cameras positioned in an area of Camden that falls outside the Unite the Kingdom march route, but is anticipated to see significant footfall from event attendees.
Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner Professor William Webster warned the Press Association that police forces could find themselves hauled before the courts over their use of the technology, cautioning that it is not "foolproof". Approximately 4,000 officers are expected to be on duty on Saturday, with 660 being drafted in from forces outside the Met.
Sir Keir was questioned about protester numbers during his Lambeth visit, with police estimating around 50,000 people set to attend the Unite the Kingdom rally, and 30,000 at Nakba Day. Downing Street confirmed that law-abiding protesters would continue to be safeguarded, but cautioned that anyone attempting to "break the law and create chaos" should expect to "feel the full force of the law".
Police Federation Warns of Strained Resources
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman revealed the policing operation will set the force back £4.5 million, with £1.7 million being spent on bringing in officers from other forces to bolster numbers. He stated the operation was unfolding against a backdrop of "continued global instability and tension", increased antisemitism, concerns within Jewish and Muslim communities, and a severe terrorism threat level.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Federation warned that many officers have had leave cancelled and rest days withdrawn to meet policing demands, adding: "There are not enough of us." Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. But anyone spreading hate or committing acts of violence will face the full force of the law."
