Met Police chiefs blasted anti-migrant protesters after 26 officers were injured during a Tommy Robinson-organised rally believed to be the largest right-wing demonstration in British history.
In total 25 arrests have been made so far, for offences including affray, violent disorder, assaults and criminal damage – with more expected to follow.
Officers were kicked and punched and faced hurled bottles, flares and other projectiles, the Met Police said
‘Unite The Kingdom’ saw an estimated 150,000 people march through central London on Saturday, with police reporting that they faced ‘unacceptable violence’ as they sought to control the vast crowds.
Attendees at the event, organised by anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim activist Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, met at Stamford Street near Waterloo Bridge before making their way to the southern end of Whitehall.
A counter-protest organised by group Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) formed at the other end of Whitehall with 5,000 in attendance, according to official Met Police figures.
However, with the number of Unite The Kingdom protesters ‘significantly exceeding the estimates of organisers,’ police said, crowds began to back-up onto Westminster Bridge.
‘A number of people turned off onto Victoria Embankment to get out of the crowds which was understandable,’ a Met spokesperson said.
Met Police officers are seen separating crowds of protesters on Saturday afternooon
Clashes between police and protesters broke out after a crush near Westminster Bridge, with British Transport Police responding
A man in a grey and black tracksuit top confronts police officers during the Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom march
Police officers scuffle with protesters at the Unite The Kingdom march
‘However, we then saw large crowds ignore police directions, turning left up Horse Guards Avenue, Whitehall Place, Northumberland Avenue and Craven Street in an effort to get into Whitehall, including into sterile areas and areas occupied by those taking part in the Stand Up To Racism protest.
‘When officers intervened to block their path they were assaulted with kicks and punches. Bottles, flares and other projectiles were also thrown and concerted attempts to get past barriers were made.’
Police were forced to surrounded the counter-protesters to stop Unite The Kingdom activists from breaching their lines and attacking Stand Up To Racism members.
The Met spokesperson added: ‘Officers had to put on full protective equipment and in a number of places had to use shields.
‘Horses and dogs were also used to keep the Unite the Kingdom protesters away from opposing groups.
‘In addition to the violence directed at officers, we saw people scale fencing and scaffolding around Whitehall, climbing to height putting themselves and others in danger.’
Scuffles continued into the evening between police and Unite The Kingdom marchers as they moved towards Whitehall.
Objects including a traffic cone, bottles and pieces of wood were thrown at the line of officers as they started to push the group back towards Trafalgar Square and Northumberland Avenue at around 5.25pm.
Elsewhere, protesters carrying flags faced off against more than a hundred helmeted officers on foot, backed up by dozens of police horses, as authorities sought to shepherd protesters towards Embankment station.
Met Police assistant commissioner Matt Twist said: ‘Officers went into today’s operation knowing it would be busy and potentially challenging. They policed without fear or favour and approached engagement with all protesters positively.
‘There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence.
The rival groups of protesters were just metres apart at points during the day
A man with a bloody eye is pushed back by police officers during the Unite The Kingdom march
Protesters taking part in the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally are held back by police officers in central London
Overhead footage shared by the Met Police showed groups of protesters attempting to force their way through police barriers
Police officers confront the supporters of British anti-immigration activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson
In Whitehall protesters were seen pushing and shoving with officers as speeches continued on stage
‘In addition to the violence directed at officers, we saw people scale fencing and scaffolding around Whitehall, climbing to height putting themselves and others in danger,’ the Met Police said. Pictured: a demonstrator stands on the head of the South Bank lion that sits on the side of the Westminster Bridge
‘They confronted officers, engaging in physical and verbal abuse and making a determined effort to breach cordons in place to keep everyone safe.
‘The violence they faced was wholly unacceptable. 26 officers were injured, including four seriously – among them broken teeth, a possible broken nose, a concussion, a prolapsed disc and a head injury,
‘The 25 arrests we have made so far is just the start. Our post-event investigation has already begun – we are identifying those who were involved in the disorder and they can expect to face robust police action in the coming days and weeks.
‘I am hugely grateful to the officers who were deployed in central London today, to those on duty in all 32 boroughs responding to 999 calls and to the more than 500 colleagues from forces across England and Wales who stood alongside us in some very challenging circumstances.’
This is a breaking story, more to follow…
