The Met successfully negotiate another protest weekend

Chris Hobbs follows another set of London protests with one linked to an ongoing terrorism investigation.

The arrest of seven Kurdish activists on suspicion of committing terror offences in the UK and the searching of premises including a Kurdish community centre, prompted the most significant public order event of the last week.

The arrests and premises searched are believed to be linked to the PKK (Kurdish Workers Party) which is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK and a number of other countries including those who are members of the EU.

Those arrests saw crowds take to the streets in the vicinity of the Haringey based community centre and there were a number of scuffles between protesters and the large numbers of police who were deployed to the area.

An announcement that there would be a protest in central London the following Sunday prompted concern within the Met that the disorder could escalate and significant Met resources could therefore be seen parked close to Whitehall.

The day itself could accurately be described as damp and dismal and for a while it looked as if the turnout would be a disappointment for the organisers as participants gathered by Trafalgar Square. Initial speeches lambasted the Met and Keir Starmer with accusations that they were ‘agents’ of the Turkish government and President Erdogan.

The Kurdish protest halts at NSY

There was, however, a late surge of those attending which was marked by a minor altercation involving an individual who was deemed to be an opponent of those attending. It was quickly resolved by police and the march, now numbering around 2,000, set off without further incident.

The route was a circular one taking in Northumberland Avenue and the Embankment which includes New Scotland Yard. The building was protected by steel barriers and a small number of officers. There were, however, numerous police carriers in reserve a short distance away.

The march did stop briefly outside the building and speakers via the portable sound system, again criticised the Met but there was no hint of violence and the march soon moved off, passing Parliament before turning right into Whitehall. There was another brief exchange involving an individual deemed, despite his denials, to be some sort of ‘opponent.’ Police persuaded him to exit via a Westminster Station subway but there was no hint of violence.

Competing protests, chaos but no disorder

The march then reached to area in front of the Ministry of Defence known as Richmond Terrace. Already ensconced there was a Pakistan-linked pro-Imran Khan protest where some vigorous chanting was taking place backed by an effective PA system. If they were phased by the arrival of the Kurdish protesters, they didn’t show it and their protest continued unabated.

There was space however, next to them and the Kurdish contingent began moving into it with their own effective PA system. Suddenly, however, the group minding the PA system went into reverse and ended up back in the road. A speech began but it clearly failed to disturb the pro-Imran Khan supporters who continued without a pause. More police arrived and clearly had words with the Kurdish speaker who could be heard politely responding with the words, ‘Just give me a couple more minutes.’ He was as good as his word, and the Kurdish protesters began moving into their allocated spot on the paved area in front of the Ministry of Defence.

However, they didn’t pause but continued to shuffle along ending up in the midst of the usual weekly pro-Ukraine rally. The Kurdish sound system again became operative and standing in Whitehall, it became possible to hear three orations at once.

The Kurdish speaker soon seemed to bring proceedings to a halt but one side of a debate could be heard over the Ukrainian system where their spokesman was calmly explaining to his opposite number that they were in the same spot every week with the blessing of the Met and shouldn’t have to suffer interlopers.

However, the Kurdish group continued to shuffle through and continued up Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square. In Trafalgar Square itself a small group formed a circle and, to the delight of tourists, indulged in a short period of traditional singing and dancing before dispersing.

A slightly chaotic but trouble-free Sunday was over.

Yet another major pro-Palestinian protest

The previous day saw the now all too familiar sight of a pro-Palestinian protest and counter-protest. Whilst the route may change, the scenario doesn’t and there is no doubt that the Met’s public order trained officers are both weary and wary of it.

These protests have added a new dimension to policing in terms of ‘actionable’ placards, posters and chanting. A perceived failure to act against an alleged perpetrator from one side can result in a complaint against the officer by the complaining individual demanding action and did so on Saturday.

Another officer, who regularly is deployed to these protests and has become a respected figure by those on both sides, suffered being screamed at by a female who was accompanied by a child and a dog and who ludicrously accused him of racism.

This protest again saw yet another attempt by the now familiar small pro-Israeli group to block the path of the approaching march. This took place in Piccadilly within sight of the pro-Israeli counter-protesters who abided by the conditions. They were ushered to the side by officers who then formed a protective cordon around the group for the duration of the march.

At the beginning of the march, in Hyde Park, I saw officers attend to a clearly unwell pro-Palestinian supporters who was wrapped in a foil blanket whilst waiting for an ambulance. It reminded me of the numerous occasions during the Notting Hill Carnival when I witnessed officers compassionately attending to the injured or unwell. The Carnival is once more in the news this week as the Police Federation detailed officer concerns in respect of the event.

Other than the two groups exchanging insults in Piccadilly Circus there were no major issues other than a brief verbal exchange between a small group of rival individuals after the march has passed. Police quickly intervened and sent those involved ‘on their way.’

The Whitehall rally

Many marchers, on reaching the Whitehall destination, simply turned around and headed for home. Others ignored the speeches from the stage and formed their own groups although the main ‘chant fest’ gathering was smaller than usual. They ended with a chant referring to ‘racist police’ who were assembling close-by in order to politely remind them that the ‘witching’ hour was approaching.

The final scene involved a male at the top of Whitehall who indulged in a screaming display of invective against police noticeable by its frequent use of the word ‘pigs.’ The ‘pigs’ ignored him and interestingly his fellow protesters rapidly distanced themselves.

Whilst this march was concluded without any incident of note, pro-Palestinian activists had caused issues during the previous week. A lobby of Parliament saw a ‘push and shove’ confrontation with police involving several hundred protesters.

Youth Demand who are Just Stop Oil activists parading under a different banner, attempted a week of action which, on Friday saw an attempted blockage of Piccadilly and the somewhat childish act of throwing ‘stink bombs’ into certain stores. Three of those arrested were reportedly still in custody the following day.

Doubtless, the hard-pressed Met officers, who frequently are called upon to police these events, will hope that they will be able to patrol their own areas in what will inevitably be a busy run up to Christmas. However, a photo journalist who has his ear very much to the ground, suggests this might not be the case and indeed another London farmers protest, apparently this time complete with tractors, is scheduled for the 11th of December.

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

Category: OpsPublic Order