More than 425 arrested during protest policing operation

As of 21:00 this evening, more than 425 people have been arrested in relation to the protest organised by Defend Our Juries in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Palestine Action. The majority of these arrests were made for supporting a proscribed organisation which is an offence under the Terrorism Act.

Throughout the demonstration, there was a coordinated effort to prevent officers from carrying out their duties which escalated to violence where officers were punched, kicked, spat on and had objects thrown at them. More than 25 individuals have been arrested for assaults on police officers and other public order offences. Attacks on officers will not be tolerated and those responsible will be pursued to the full extent of the law.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Claire Smart, who led the policing operation said:

“Over the course of the afternoon, we deployed more than 2,500 officers to manage protests across the capital. The majority of protests, including the Palestine Coalition march attended by around 20,000 people, passed with very few arrests. This was not the case at the protest organised by Defend Our Juries in support of the proscribed terrorist organisation Palestine Action.

“In carrying out their duties today, our officers have been punched, kicked, spat on and had objects thrown at them by protesters. It is intolerable that those whose job it is to enforce the law and keep people safe – in this case arresting individuals committing offences under the Terrorism Act – should be subject to this level of abuse.

“Our role in the context of protest remains as it always has been – to police without fear or favour, to enforce the law, and to ensure those exercising their right to protest can do so safely. Where a group advertises that they intend to commit crimes, we have a duty to respond accordingly.

“The tactics deployed by supporters of Palestine Action in their attempt to overwhelm the justice system, as well as the level of violence seen in the crowd, required significant resource which took officers out of neighbourhoods to the detriment of the Londoners who rely on them.”

The Met’s operational plans over the course of the afternoon have been effective, we have ample custody capacity and individuals continue to be processed in the prisoner processing points set up in the Westminster area.

While the policing operation in relation to Palestine Action will continue, this will be the last update of the evening with a further update provided tomorrow.