Arabic version: شرطة لندن تستعد للاحتجاجات الكبرى مع تدابير أمنية معززة

According to BBC News,

More than 4,000 police officers have been deployed to London on Saturday, as crowds start to gather for two rival protests in the capital. The Metropolitan Police has described the operation as one of the most significant in years, utilizing drones, police horses, and dogs, with armored vehicles on standby. A “sterile zone” will be established to separate the Unite the Kingdom march, organised by far-right figure Tommy Robinson, from a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

The policing operation is estimated to cost £4.5 million. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman stated that the risks associated with the protests necessitate the “highest degree of control,” including the first deployment of live facial recognition cameras during a protest. These cameras will be in use at key train stations where attendees of the Unite the Kingdom march are likely to arrive.

The government has blocked eleven foreign “far-right agitators” from entering the UK to attend the Unite the Kingdom event, including anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez. In response to the protests, Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of combating hatred and division, stating that anyone intending to incite violence would face legal consequences.

The Unite the Kingdom march is planned to start in Kingsway before heading to Whitehall and culminating in a rally at Parliament Square, while the pro-Palestinian march commemorating Nakba Day will begin in Kensington and proceed to Waterloo Place. The police have set strict controls on the routes and timings of both marches.

New guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service urges prosecutors to consider social media content related to protests that may incite hatred. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reiterated the importance of the right to protest, stating that those spreading hate would face the full force of the law. The police are prepared to take swift action against hate speech during the events.