Update on demonstration in support of Palestine Action

A total of 890 arrests were made of protesters at a demonstration organised by Defend Our Juries in support of proscribed terror organization Palestine Action.

While the majority of arrests were for supporting a proscribed group – an offence under the Terrorism Act – there were a significant number of other arrests made after the protest turned violent for assaults on police officers and other public order offences.

In total, 857 people were arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (TACT) for showing support for Palestine Action and 33 people were arrested for other offences, including 17 for assaults on police officers.

In line with the policing plan put in place ahead of the operation, all those arrested were processed at a prisoner reception point in the Westminster area.

Those whose details could be confirmed were released on bail to appear at a police station at a future date.

Those who refused to provide their details at the prisoner processing points and those who were found to have been arrested while already on bail, were transported to one of a number of Met Police custody suites to be dealt with. No custody suites outside of London were required.

• The number of people dealt with at a prisoner reception point was 341.
• The number transported to custody for TACT offences was 519.

All 857 individuals arrested for Terrorism Act Offences will now be investigated by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command. As seen, in recent weeks – the Met has worked closely with the CPS to speed up the process for securing charges against people arrested for showing support for a proscribed organization.

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

“I’d like to thank all officers involved in yesterday’s operation for their professionalism and tireless work despite the level of abuse that they faced.

“The violence we encountered during the operation was coordinated and carried out by a group of people, many wearing masks to conceal their identity, intent on creating as much disorder as possible. Many of those individuals have now been arrested and we have begun securing charges.

“The contrast between this demonstration and the other protests we policed yesterday, including the Palestine Coalition march attended by around 20,000 people, was stark. You can express your support for a cause without committing an offence under the Terrorism Act or descending into violence and disorder, and many thousands of people do that in London every week.

“We have a duty to enforce the law without fear or favour. If you advertise that you are intending to commit a crime, we have no option but to respond accordingly.”