Met Police puts 700 officers on standby for pro-Palestine and Just Stop Oil protests

Just Stop Oil, pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrators could all descend on London today, the Met Police fears.

The force has 700 officers on standby in case of trouble due to a planned protest march by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and an expected counter demo by pro-Israel group Enough is Enough in central London on Saturday, July 6.

Met leaders also fear climate change activists Just Stop Oil could bring chaos to the capital's streets, due to a planned “Resistance Starts Here” event, which was advertised on Eventbrite as being a General Election protest to make demands of the new Labour Government from noon to 3pm in Parliament Square.

A Met Police spokesman said: "Londoners will see extra officers on duty this weekend as a policing operation takes place around planned protests.

"In total the Met will have around 700 officers on duty this weekend to police these events, plus more to manage smaller protests in London, the Wimbledon Championships and other events.

"We have also imposed conditions on Just Stop Oil following information that suggests they may be planning an event tomorrow. This is to prevent serious disruption to the community."

The force has used powers under Section 14(3) of the Public Order Act 1986 to ban any JSO supporters from entering a designated area.

However, this morning the group signalled on Eventbrite that the event had been cancelled.

Turning to the PSC march, the Met spokesman said the force "used powers to place conditions on the protests to ensure we minimise serious disruption to the community and balance the rights of all".

Superintendent Martin Kirby, who is leading policing in London this weekend, said: “As always the goal is to protect the right to peaceful protest while minimising the impact of these events, including on London’s Jewish communities. Police do not have the power to ban protest unless there is a risk of serious disorder.

“We have been liaising with the PSC throughout this week and will have a significant number of officers on duty to maintain law and order.

“Officers will be on hand to ensure the events pass off without issue and will step in to deal with any crime or disorder should it occur.

"We will be visible and engaging with those involved in the events and if you see anything of concern we would ask you to talk to officers in the area.”

The Met said since the October 7, 2023 Hamas atrocities, it has used the proactive imposition of conditions under the Public Order Act more extensively than during any other period of protest in recent memory.

The spokesman said: "Where proportionate and necessary we have imposed conditions in relation to the route of protests, their duration, their start and finish times, the details of any static assemblies and the ability of those involved to get near to sensitive sites or into communities where fears are most heightened.

"Conditions can be imposed either in advance of an event or by the senior officer present during an event."

Saturday’s PSC march takes place from noon.

The march will form up in Russell Square WC1 between noon and 1pm.

Protesters will follow a route down Southampton Row, Kingsway, Aldwych and into Victoria Embankment, stopping just short of Portcullis House for speeches.

PSC said on its website: "Israel’s genocidal assault on Palestinians in Gaza has killed nearly 40,000. We must keep taking to the streets. Join us as we march through London to tell the new government – end the genocide, stop arming Israel, justice for Palestine!"