The Metropolitan Police has urged students to call off a pro-Palestine march planned for the third anniversary of the October 7 terror attack on Israel.
More than 600 officers will be deployed across London over the coming week, with around half a dozen protests set to take place.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman warned that the events “create the risk of communities feeling unsafe and unsupported”.
DAC Harman added: “For many in our city, this will be a day of mourning, a day of reflection.”
However, the University of London Coalition plans to march on Wednesday, October 7, on the third anniversary of Hamas’s attack against Israel.
The students plan to walk from King’s College London on the Strand to University College London in Holborn from midday.
The Metropolitan Police said it had tried to contact the organisers to ask them to choose a different date.
DAC Harman added: “I use this opportunity today to urge them to reconsider and to make contact with us urgently so that they can plan their event on a different date.”
Scotland Yard said it had tried to contact the organisers to ask them to choose a different date
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PA
Police have written to the four universities the students attend, asking for their help and leadership.
The letter cites recent Community Security Trust findings on antisemitism which show incidents at UK universities remain substantially higher than before October 2023.
The force acknowledged calls for the march to be banned but stressed that police cannot give or refuse permission for protests.
Conditions on the route and timing will be imposed on Wednesday, with arrests likely for anyone who breaches them.
Police have clashed with pro-Palestine demonstrators in previous events
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METROPOLITAN POLICEOctober 10 will also see up to 10,000 people march as part of the Palestine Coalition.
Marchers will gather near Northumberland Avenue at noon before ending with a rally on Whitehall at 5pm.
A counter-protest by Stop the Hate and others is anticipated.
The 35 large protests organised by Palestine Coalition groups since October 2023, along with other related protests, have cost the Met £26.6 million. Once officers diverted from their usual duties are factored in, that figure rises to £90 million.
Three pro-Palestine protesters have been charged after calling for ‘intifada’ in first of its kind prosecution | GETTYPolice are also preparing for any potential trouble this weekend during canvassing for the Holborn & St Pancras by-election.
Arrests have already been made in recent weekends after clashes between canvassers and protesters.
DAC Harman said police had acted to prevent crime and disorder, “and not on any political preference nor on any perceived ‘two-tier’ approach”.
Around 5,000 people will march in Whitechapel on Sunday to mark the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street.
Protests across the capital have prompted a major police response
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GETTYScotland Yard said it has made more than 17,000 hate crime arrests since October 2023.
Officers will act on antisemitism, anti-Muslim abuse and support for proscribed groups such as Palestine Action.
DAC Harman said: “We have absolutely no desire to police culture wars or wars of words between opposing groups.”
The officer added: “If anyone thinks they can commit crime, intimidate our communities or stir up hatred towards others, they should think again as they will be dealt with swiftly and decisively.”
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