Public Order Act conditions imposed ahead of evening protests

A protest organised by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) will take place in Whitehall this evening, from 7pm, marking a week since the terrorist attack against the Jewish community in Manchester.

We will have officers in the vicinity to ensure the safety of attendees and to respond to any incidents.

Earlier today we became aware of plans by a number of pro-Palestinian groups to gather in Whitehall at the time of the CAA protest.

While there is no indication that they are doing so to directly counter the CAA, it is our judgement that the coming together of large groups with opposing views in the same location poses a risk of serious disorder and/or serious disruption.

We have a responsibility to take steps to prevent either of those outcomes and we have therefore imposed Public Order Act conditions preventing anyone taking part in the pro-Palestinian protests from assembling in a specific area around Whitehall as shown on the map below:

Anticipating that the groups may attempt to gather in alternative locations nearby where their presence would risk causing serious disruption to the Jewish community at a time of heightened fear and concern, we have also imposed a condition preventing them gathering in the area around Great Portland Street and Portland Place due to the proximity of a nearby synagogue.

Anyone breaching the conditions or encouraging others to do so can be arrested.