The Metropolitan Police have blocked a Ukip march planned for Tower Hamlets on 31 January, citing fears of serious disorder. The far-right group intended to call for mass deportations, but police said the protest could take place elsewhere in London.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman stated that allowing the march would be reckless due to the risk of violence, including from local residents. Tower Hamlets has a large Bangladeshi community and a history of racist attacks and resistance.
Harman emphasised that the decision was based on safety assessments, noting that the primary risk came from local reactions. He said police had imposed conditions under public order laws to prevent serious disorder.
The move follows controversy over the banning of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from a football match in Birmingham in November. Harman distinguished the Ukip case, stating it was not a ban but a rerouting to avoid violence.
Anyone ignoring the order and participating in the protest would be arrested. The Met has spent £76m policing 884 protests over two years, with increasing complexity and frequency.
