Later today, an event to mark St George’s Day is expected to take place on Richmond Terrace, off Whitehall. We believe those planning to attend include far right groups and groups linked to football clubs travelling from elsewhere in the UK. Additional policing resources, including public order officers, will be deployed in the area to deal with any incidents. They are supported by colleagues from the British Transport Police and the City of London Police. The officers’ primary role is to ensure the safety of participants and the public, but they will not hesitate to respond in the event of disorderly behaviour or other offences.
The groups are gathering in the Waterloo area prior to joining the event in Whitehall. Officers are in the area to respond to any incidents. A number of people, have been seen in the area wearing masks. A Section 60AA order, giving officers the power to require the removal of face coverings, is now in force in the boroughs of Lambeth and Westminster. A Section 60 order, giving officers additional search powers, is also in force in the same area to prevent crime and disorder.
We have been in discussions with the organiser of the Richmond Terrace event over recent days. To prevent disorder and to minimise disruption, we have imposed a number of conditions under the Public Order Act. Anyone participating in the event must remain on Richmond Terrace within the area marked in pink on the map below. The event cannot start before 3pm and must finish by 5pm.
The event is not due to start for an hour and regrettably officers are already dealing with disorder. There is an area allocated for this event in Richmond Terrace. This group went past it and continued up Whitehall. When officers formed a cordon and asked the group to turn round, they reacted by violently forcing their way through. Mounted officers intervened with horses to restore the cordon.
@metpoliceuk More disorder than all of the pro-Palestine marches combined and this one hasn't even started yet!
@arnau1700 @metpoliceuk Mate, they stop Jewish people attending and just leave them all masked up in Hamas headwear calling for Jihad. Hardly comparable.