The Metropolitan Police mounted an unprecedented operation involving around 4,000 officers, with 660 drafted from outside the force, according to Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman. 5 million. The Met said live facial recognition was used for the first time in a policing operation around a protest, deployed in an area of Camden where attendees were expected to gather.
Strict conditions were placed on both the Unite the Kingdom and Nakba Day marches, including specified routes and times. " Both the speakers and the organisers will face consequences if hate speech is used at the rally. For the first time, police imposed conditions relating to speakers, making organisers responsible for ensuring speakers do not break the law by using events to platform unlawful extremism or hate speech.
People who call for 'intifada' or 'death to the IDF' face being arrested and charged. The Metropolitan police said at least 25 people were arrested and 26 officers were injured, including four seriously hurt, after protesters clashed with police, with officers being assaulted with kicks, punches, bottles, flares, and other projectiles. The Metropolitan police also said protesters breached a barrier set up to separate them from a counter-protest.
the highest degree of control
The protest amplified racist conspiracy theories and anti-Muslim hate speech, according to allegations. " Elon Musk addressed the crowd via video link, calling for the dissolution of the UK parliament, according to reports. French far-right politician Éric Zemmour spoke at the protest, promoting the "great replacement" theory, according to reports.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to block far-right agitators from entering the UK for the march, according to his office. The Home Office said Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood blocked seven people from entering the UK, including anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez. Since March 2025, protests against immigration have taken place in parts of the UK, some leading to violent disorder, according to police.
Police said at least 41 police officers have been injured and over 180 people arrested in immigration protests since March 2025. A separate, larger protest took place on 13 September, when up to 150,000 people took part in a London march organized by Tommy Robinson, according to reports. The UK government is legally obliged to provide accommodation for asylum seekers who would otherwise be homeless.
great replacement
At the height of hotel use in June 2023, 51,000 asylum seekers were housed in more than 400 hotels, costing £8 million a day. Artists including Annie Lennox and Miriam Margolyes accused the Met of giving preferential treatment to the far-right demonstration over a pro-Palestine protest, according to allegations. The pro-Palestine movement's preferred route for Nakba Day was rejected by the Met.
A Met spokesperson said the decision was based on the relative scale of the demonstrations. Tens of thousands gathered for an anti far-right march organized by Together Alliance, according to reports. Organisers claimed 500,000 attended, but police estimated closer to 50,000.
Police said two protesters were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and causing a public nuisance at the anti far-right march. Police said 18 people were arrested at a demonstration outside New Scotland Yard on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action. The 13 September protest saw between 100,000 and 150,000 people demonstrate in London against immigration, according to reports.