Met will use River Thames to distance Al Quds protesters in 'bespoke, new tactic'

Static demonstrations are expected, after marches were banned by the Home Secretary, over concerns that there would be serious public disorder.

An Al Quds demonstration is set to be facilitated on Albert Embankment with counter protests held on the Millbank side of the river.

Around 6,000 are due on either side but given the counter protests are made up of more than four groups, with more announcing they’ll join, the numbers could be significantly higher.

Marine units will patrol the Thames with more than 1,000 officers set to be deployed to police the gatherings. Officers from across the UK are also being drafted in to support.

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Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan says the use of the Thames hasn’t been used effectively by officers in the past, describing it as a bespoke response, as tensions are high given attacks in the Middle East.

He said: “We need a unique tactical plan to make sure we keep these people apart to prevent serious public disorder and that’s why we came up with this.

“These are unique circumstances and they require a unique response.”

Doing so will allow protesters to use different transport hubs to arrive and leave their designated areas and give police control of the bridges, he said.

Conditions will be placed on all gatherings linked to Al Quds, including a dispersal time of 1700.

On the decision to seek a ban on the Al Quds march and counter march, AC Adelekan said: “I want to make it very, very clear, this does not set a precedent for us as a service.

“It’s based on a specific assessment around this specific incident. The Metropolitan Police Service hasn’t done this since 2012, so we are not taking this decision lightly at all.”