METROPOLITAN Police are under pressure to cancel pro-Palestine protests this weekend amid fears of an outbreak of violence with far-Right thugs planning on ‘protecting’ London’s landmarks.
Cops have reportedly drafted in extra officers amid concerns the influx will add to the already tense environment.
AFPFears of far-Right thugs descending on London are growing ahead of planned pro-Palestine protests during the Armistice weekend[/caption]
AFPPM Rishi Sunak has dubbed the protests ‘provocative and disrespectful’, especially on Armistice Day[/caption]
GettyArmistice weekend is an annual remembrance service marking the end of World War One[/caption]
Gangs of football hooligans are reportedly planning to “protect” the Capital’s landmark memorials from protestors this weekend during planned remembrance services.
Met police have apparently drafted in extra officers amid concerns the influx will add to the already tense environment.
One source told the Daily Mail: “The protest alone is tricky enough but they think gangs of hooligans are going to team up and protect the Cenotaph.
“They have officers coming in from all across the country to help.”
PM Rishi Sunak dubbed the protests “provocative and disrespectful“, especially on Armistice Day, a marking of the end of World War One.
It comes as Met police urge protesters to “urgently reconsider” any demonstrations over the Armistice weekend.
Senior officers in the force are worried about breakaway groups intent on crime and disorder during the memorial events.
Met cops said they were “constantly examining the intelligence ahead of the weekend and would respond “appropriately”.
An emergency Cobra meeting was even called on Tuesday in No10 with police chiefs and intelligence officials in attendance.
Chaired by Deputy PM Oliver Dowden, the meeting was held to update senior ministers on the UK’s terror threat level amid fears of extremism at the upcoming protest.
A No10 spokesperson said the session will be “particularly focused on terror attacks on the UK domestically and how we can address cohesion”.
One group, named “Football Lads Against Extremism”, is reportedly planning to meet up with “other firms coming in” before attending the National Service at Whitehall – also attended by the Royals and Prime Minister.
A pro-Palestine march scheduled for the same day is due to end just two miles from the London Cenotaph.
Since October 7, more than 160 people have been arrested in the UK for a range of offences, including racially motivated public offences, violence and assaulting police officers.
There has been an escalation in violence and disorder linked to protests, often perpetrated by breakaway groups who have no interest in demonstration causes.
The Cenotaph war memorial in Manchester is currently being guarded by Police with patrols and CCTV after two incidents this week at the site.
Investigations are ongoing.
Home Secretary backed the Met’s earlier statement urging demonstrators to reconsider, adding: “I welcome this statement from the Met Police.
“The hate marchers need to understand that decent British people have had enough of these displays of thuggish intimidation and extremism.”
Senior Met police met with organisers from a number of groups on Monday to discuss the growing concerns.
They declined to postpone any demonstrations.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “The risk of violence and disorder linked to breakaway groups is growing.
“This is of concern ahead of a significant and busy weekend in the capital.
“Our message to organisers is clear: Please, we ask you to urgently reconsider. It is not appropriate to hold any protests in London this weekend.”
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said decisions on whether to ban the planned march in London were for the police.
But they said the Government would “carefully consider” any application to prevent it.
“The Prime Minister himself does not think it’s right for these sorts of protests to be scheduled on Armistice Day,” the spokesman said.
“He believes that is provocative and disrespectful.”
The Met could theoretically request the power to ban the event under Section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986, but that would only apply if there was the threat of “serious public disorder”, which could not be controlled by other measures.
MEN MediaA Cenotaph in Manchester is being guarded by police after two incidents this week[/caption]
The Mega AgencyOliver Dowden chaired an emergency Cobra meeting today about the rising threat of violence and extremism during the protests[/caption]
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