Around 4,000 police officers were being deployed in London amid fears that football hooligans will join a Tommy Robinson-led march on FA Cup Final day.
In one of the Metropolitan Police’s biggest-ever public order operations, armoured vehicles, armed police units on standby, mounted police, dog teams, traffic units and large numbers of officers with riot equipment were on the capital’s streets.
Police helicopters and drones were being tasked with watching over the Unite the Kingdom march and a pro-Palestine counter demonstration to mark Nakba Day.
Detectives were also taking part in the huge public safety plan on Saturday which includes a ban on at least 11 individuals entering the UK to join the Unite the Kingdom protest.
Live facial recognition was also being used for the first time by Scotland Yard during a public order operation, though not on march routes.
It was being deployed at a location in Camden borough to target criminals and suspected offenders on a “watch list” if they take part in the Unite the Kingdom march which was expected to be led by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
Speakers who engage in antisemitic, anti-Muslim or other hate speech will face arrest, and the organisers of the demonstrations may also be prosecuted for such offences under powers being used by the Met for the first time.
People who chant “death to the IDF” or “Globalise the Intifada” will also face arrest, as will individuals who engage in anti-Muslim hatred.
Police will have powers to force people to remove face coverings and will also be able to issue dispersal orders to make people intent on causing trouble leave central London.
Strict restrictions were being imposed on the routes of the two marches and timings.
The marches were taking place after the Golders Green stabbings and arson attacks on the Jewish community in north London and as Donald Trump’s Iran war continues.
Deputy Assistant Commissoner (DAC) James Harman said: “Taken together, these factors give us significant cause for concern as we head into the weekend and require a policing plan that provides us with the most assertive grip on the movement of large numbers of people, large groups, and the potential for serious disorder.”
Around 50,000 people are expected by the Met to join the Unite the Kingdom protest, and some 30,000 the march to mark Nakba Day.
The Nakba Day protest was due to form up in Exhibition Road in Kensington, west London, before going on to head into Waterloo Place via Brompton Road to Piccadilly before a rally in Pall Mall.
The Unite the Kingdom demonstration was set to officially start in Kingsway before heading to Whitehall via Aldwych and The Strand, with a rally due to take place in Parliament Square.
Tens of thousands of football fans were also due to head to Wembley for the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City.
DAC Harman added: “We need to be mindful this Saturday of the history of football hooligan groups supporting causes fronted by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.”
Tube and rail stations close to the marches were expected to be busy, with extensive road closures and bus routes affected.
Some 660 officers were being drafted in from other forces for the huge public order operation which is expected to cost £4.5 million, including £1.7 million for the bill to pay for police from outside the capital.
More than 20 people were arrested at a Unite the Kingdom march last year, and police are still pursuing around 50 people who committed alleged offences but have so far not been caught.
