Policing public order: recent events and what the future may hold

Chris Hobbs reflects on the continued protests taking place in London related to overseas events.

It would be stating the obvious to proclaim that world events are often reflected on the streets of London but this has certainly been the case over recent weeks as crisis after crisis has been viewed on our televisions.

The biggest protest took place on Saturday when, after a break, the Palestine Solidarity Committee organised yet another London based, national demonstration. Their last few protests have seen attendances of around 10,000 but after recent events in Gaza reinforced by images of suffering, emaciated children, a larger turnout was anticipated and so it proved.

The route was a near circular one and the additional numbers seemed to cause confusion at the normally well organised start which on this occasion was on the Embankment. As usual there was a static pro-Israeli protest on the route which was sited just north of Waterloo Bridge where the marchers turned left into the Strand before continuing down to Whitehall.

The situation was slightly complicated by the fact that thousands of Crystal Palace fans were gathering at Covent Garden before moving on the Wembley and their day to remember.

There were some verbal exchanges between Palace fans and pro-Palestinian activists but equally there were reports that some groups of Palace supporters were chanting their support for Palestine.

It was however fortunate that, thanks to the delayed start of the march, Palace fans, having assembled in Covent Garden, were well clear of the Strand by the time the Pro-Palestine protesters arrived.

Insults exchanged

The potential flash point was, as usual, where the march passed the static pro-Israeli counter-protest. Normally common sense largely prevails and the result is simply an exchange of insults; on this occasion there was a slightly more sinister atmosphere although again, it didn’t translate into physical violence.

The pro-Israeli side, due to being static, had the advantage in that they were able to deploy a powerful sound-system. As the march approached the ‘compare’ launched a diatribe against the Met for refusing to ban the protest. Similar sentiments are expressed on social media; however, a ban is only viable if serious violence is anticipated and that simply hasn’t been the case at previous protests.

As the march passed, insults were exchanged, with the Israeli sound system winning the battle against portable systems and megaphones. The first incident of note concerned the arrest of a pro-Israeli Iranian dissident. He is known as one of a small group who ‘insert’ themselves in the midst of rival  protesters hoping to provoke a reaction.

On this occasion he had labelled himself as ‘press’ and was not in the enclosure designated for counter-protesters. I didn’t witness what led to his arrest but it was seen from the Israeli enclosure and led to the ‘compare’ launching another verbal onslaught on the Met for arresting a ‘reporter.’

Tensions

The march progressed and I noticed a female in what could, and I stress could, have been wearing a pro-Palestinian scarf which was composed of small pink and white squares. She was holding on to a pushchair which contained a toddler. At this time music was emanating from the speakers which the female appeared to be enjoying as she was moving about to it. She was accompanied by a male, who I presumed was her husband or partner. She was also in an area designated for the public and a short distance from me.

Suddenly she was confronted by two males who had left the pro-Israeli enclosure. I didn’t film the scene initially as I was trying to attract the attention of nearby officers. The husband/partner rapidly became aware of the threatening situation and understandably, moved aggressively and protectively towards the woman and her pushchair.

Fortunately, other officers had seen what was occurring and swiftly moved in. The men were ushered back into their enclosure and officers also explained the situation to the bewildered couple who then left.

Later another incident occurred involving a popular and highly respected police liaison officer (PLO) who can be seen at most protests and has normally excellent relations with protesters regardless of their political persuasion.

However, on this occasion, an individual who has been seen at previous protests in his trademark grey hooded tracksuit and looks to pick arguments with police. He did so again with some sort of nonsensical enquiry with the above officer who politely responded and walked away.

However, the individual followed, filming the conversation as he did so.  Despite the individual frequently being told the conversation was over he persisted using the familiar tactics of so-called auditors who can be found at police station gates attempting to provoke officers in order to obtain a reaction. The footage can then be placed on social media and possibly lead to a complaint against the officer and perhaps even compensation.

It’s reprehensible enough when this behaviour by ‘auditors’ takes place at police station gates or scenes of crime but this continued trend at potentially volatile protests should be of concern.

‘Legal’ observers

Linked to the issue of auditors is the question of ‘legal observers.’ These became a familiar sight at leftist anti-racist and environmental protests. They wear clearly marked tabards and have, in fairness, completed some form of training. They would observe protests and cause some amusement by aimlessly noting officer’s shoulder numbers.

If an arrest occurred, they would move quickly to the scene and assiduously make notes in their note-books. Arresting officers would normally be happy for the arrestee to provide personal details to the observer.

Interestingly, when they were present at a Tommy Robinson protest and counter-protest, to the amusement of observers, they remained rooted to the spot when a Tommy Robinson supporter was marched off having thrown a flare.

Recently, at another PSC protest that passed through Piccadilly, the only ‘civilian’ allowed in the barriered sterile area was a sinister looking masked male dressed in black who was continually filming protesters.

He appeared in a similar role at a later protest and on Saturday another masked figure dressed in black was permitted in the sterile area and again spent his/her time filming protesters. I was told these are legal observers and given the direction their cameras were pointed, they were observing passing protesters.

Also present were ‘legal observers’ in yellow tabards who again were continually filming protesters although they remained outside the sterile area. It’s clear that the presence of those masked individuals referred to above, who were allowed within the sterile area, caused concern to Met officers.

Those observers stationed outside the sterile area were doing that which many others were, in terms of filming the protest. They also would alert officers to any possible breach of the law and indeed did precisely that.

Complaints to police by protesters/counter-protesters concerning their rivals is now a common feature of these events and is an aspect which is less than popular amongst officers. Any perceived failure to act could result in a complaint as indeed could a decision to take action.

The confusion surrounding Peter Tatchell’s arrest

The conundrum facing officers amidst the confusion and emotion of a protest was illustrated during Saturday’s protest with the arrest of activist Peter Tatchell. Whilst I didn’t witness the arrest, it appears that Mr. Tatchell was carrying a placard that the Palestine Solidarity Campaign stewards objected to.

The placard read as follows:

“Stop Israel GENOCIDE

Stop Hamas executions.”

The placard then carried details of 22- year-old Odai Al-Rubai “executed by Hamas.” It would appear that Odai took part in a protest against Hamas in Gaza and was later kidnapped, tortured and executed.

Police were summoned by the stewards and, according to reports, believed that Mr. Tatchell was part of the pro-Israel counter-protest and was refusing to comply with the set conditions.  Amidst the confusion, Mr. Tatchell was arrested. When the full facts became clear, he was released without charge and subsequently received an apology from the Met.

Sundry protests

The numbers involved in this PSC protest were somewhere between 20 and 25 thousand; in all, despite the size of the protest and the emotions generated by events in Gaza, there were according to the Met, just seven arrests.

Small, localised Palestine protests occurred during the last few weeks including one outside Broadcasting House which concerned alleged BBC bias in favour of Israel. A few weeks previously, pro-Israeli activists were outside the BBC complaining of the corporation’s bias against Israel.

Another protest and counter-protest took place outside the British Museum which was the venue for an event celebrating the independence of Israel. A large police presence ensured that the rival groups remained separated and indeed, out of sight of each other.

Common sense prevails during the Indo-Pakistan conflict

The India, Pakistan conflict would have caused concern to many police chiefs across the country. It was only in 2022 that Leicester saw serious disorder between Hindus and Muslims. Southall too has had its communal tensions in the past while there were fears that the Indian High Commission could attract potentially violent confrontations.

There was some disorder outside the Pakistan High Commission as the conflict began but subsequent protests outside the Indian High Commission saw surprisingly small numbers of participants. Only once did rival groups materialise.

Across the country those areas which have significant mixed populations of Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims remained quiet as common sense prevailed doubtless assisted by some sound, unheralded community policing.

Bristol, Birmingham and the forthcoming summer

Events, however, outside London were less sanguine. Last Saturday in Birmingham police had to work hard to keep those participating in a Britain First demonstration apart from anti-racists. There were no arrests however.

In Bristol, about 100 UKIP activists gathered calling for mass deportations. They were opposed by 250 anti-racists and there were several clashes resulting in five arrests.

It remains to be seen what the summer holds for those officers involved in policing public order and indeed those who, on protest days, remain struggling to police their own local areas. The Palestine issue is unlikely to be resolved while the crescendo of vitriol levelled against Prime Minister Starmer is likely to increase following the well-publicised agreement with the European Union. This may manifest itself in street protest while the imminent release from prison of Tommy Robinson could galvanise the growing opposition to the above mentioned ‘trade deal.’

Despite the fears voiced from a number of quarters concerning the safety of those attending the looming Notting Hill Carnival, there seems little appetite, despite two murders and numerous attacks on officers last year, for banning the event or moving it.

The biggest threat to the safety of all attending Carnival is the real possibility of a crushing incident involving hundreds. There is much that is positive about Carnival including the excellent relationship between the police and the overwhelming majority of revellers. Doubtless, when disaster strikes, be it this year or further in the future, there will be a ‘full and frank’ public enquiry lasting many months with the final verdict occupying headlines for a day or so.

In the meantime, the prospect of a long hot summer of public order duties in London, which will frequently involve lengthy periods of sitting in police carriers or standing on cordons, may well be the straw that breaks the camel’s back in terms of whether already demoralised officers wish to continue their police careers.

Chris Hobbs is a former Special Branch officer who follows public order events as an observer for Police Oracle.

Category: OpsPublic Order