UK police arrested nine people on Saturday following multiple incidents at three different protests in central London, including one organized by far-right agitator Tommy Robinson.
London’s Metropolitan Police reported that four individuals were arrested outside a pub in Westminster for allegedly assaulting four officers. “Fortunately, none sustained serious injuries,” the force stated.
Earlier, two men were arrested for assaulting a participant in an anti-fascism protest held in opposition to Robinson’s rally. The pair were suspected of attacking the “Stand Up To Racism” protester at Victoria Embankment Gardens in the city center. Officers administered first aid to the victim, who had a head injury, and he was taken to the hospital for a check-up, according to the Met.
Additionally, another man was arrested for criminal damage and a racially aggravated public order offense after allegedly snapping a Palestinian flag and making a racially abusive remark. Another arrest was made for assaulting an emergency worker and a racially aggravated public order offense after a police officer was kicked, the Met reported.
The ninth arrest was related to a suspected assault on a steward at a “Trans Pride” protest also held in central London on Saturday.
The Met deployed around 1,000 officers as part of a “significant” policing operation to manage the day’s events. Thousands gathered from late morning for Robinson’s demonstration, a far-right firebrand and founder of the now-defunct Islamophobic English Defence League organization. The counter-protest organized by Stand Up To Racism and other groups also rallied nearby.
The Met imposed conditions on the two marches to prevent serious disruption, which included requiring participants to remain in designated areas and disperse by specific times.
In its latest update, the Met noted that videos shared online during the day showed some attendees at Robinson’s rally engaging in “racist and anti-Muslim” chanting.
“It isn’t always possible for officers to intervene in the moment, particularly within large crowds,” the force added. “However, that doesn’t stop investigations from taking place after events to identify suspects and any offenses. These videos are being investigated.”
