More than 2,000 officers from the Metropolitan Police and other UK forces will be on duty for a “significant” operation across Remembrance weekend.
The Met says its plan covers both Armistice and Remembrance events as well as a significant march by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
A political row erupted this week over comments made by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who criticised the Met over its decision to allow the pro-Palestine protests to go ahead on Saturday.
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Ahead of meeting the Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley earlier this week, Rishi Sunak said he would hold the force accountable for allowing the demonstrations to go ahead.
But in a statement released on Friday, the prime minister said he had been “assured” by police that Remembrance services would be “safeguarded from any protests”.
The Met said: “We know the cumulative impact continued protest, increasing tensions, and rising hate crimes are having across London and the fear and anxiety our Jewish communities, in particular, are feeling.
“They have a right to feel safe in their city, knowing they can travel across London without feeling afraid of intimidation or harassment.
“We’ll be using an extensive set of powers to prevent any disruption whatsoever to Remembrance events, policing the demonstration as it passes through parts of the capital, while protecting our communities from those intent on inciting hate, violence and disorder.”
The police have set up exclusion zones covering the Cenotaph, Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade, the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance and other relevant areas.
They say “anyone believed to be part of, or associated with, the pro-Palestinian demonstration trying to assemble in this area can be arrested”.
The Met has detailed the powers it will be exercising over the weekend, putting exclusion zones in place in Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade, the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance and other relevant areas, adding anyone on the pro-Palestinian march in these areas will be arrested.
The Cenotaph will have a 24-hour police presence, the Met added.
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Officers will also insist people marching stick to the pre-agreed routes and do not enter the US and Israeli embassies.
There will also be dispersal zones in Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus, and officers will have stop and search powers in areas around Westminster, and parts of Wandsworth and Lambeth.
Sky’s crime correspondent Martin Brunt said the organisers of the main protest on Saturday have already agreed that demonstrators do not intend to go anywhere near those areas and will stick to a designated marching route from Hyde Park across the River Thames to the US embassy.
There will also be interventions for people planning vehicle convoys through Jewish areas of London, with the Met saying specialist officers will be in those areas, and people committing offences will be arrested.
Elsewhere, police will monitor intimidation of poppy sellers, with the Met saying there have been concerns raised over their safety in the last week.
“Alongside our colleagues at the British Transport Police we have been clear no intimidation of those who so generously give up their time for this treasured national cause will be tolerated,” the force said.
“Officers know the risk felt by sellers and should be sought out by anyone concerned throughout the weekend.”
In his statement, Mr Sunak said: “This weekend, people across the United Kingdom will stand together in quiet reflection to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
“Veterans, loved ones of those who gave their lives for their country and many more of us will want to honour this moment.
“This act of remembrance is fundamental to who we are as a country and I want to reassure those wishing to pay their respects, attend services and travel that they can and should do so.”
(c) Sky News 2023: Met Police releases details for ‘significant’ operation across Remembrance weekend
https://www.centralfm.co.uk/news/latest-headlines/met-police-releases-details-for-significant-operation-across-remembrance-weekend/
