The Metropolitan Police Service has said that it made 17 arrests amid a series of events yesterday (Saturday, May 18), including a pro-Palestine protest and a play-off final at Wembley. There were also a counter-protest to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) event, a protest at the Eritrean Embassy and other football matches.
Police say officers intervened and arrested a man appearing to lead an offensive chant of ‘Intifada Revolution’ and damage a traffic light in Regent Street. A man was also arrested during the PSC march when police observed him ‘carrying a coffin with offensive language on it’.
The Met adds that an officer was ‘assaulted’ during a search of man who had ‘made off’ from police – he was arrested. In addition, officers say that they identified, intervened and arrested a man seen ‘holding an offensive placard’ among the counter protest in Piccadilly Circus.
READ MORE: Twickenham London bus catches fire as firefighters tackle blaze in busy road
A spokesperson for the force said: “We stepped in to de-escalate an altercation between a man and a protestor. The man was warned to stop, he did not, and was arrested.” Two men were also arrested during the march on suspicion of affray.
Further, the Met says that a woman reported a sexual assault near Piccadilly Circus Tube station. Police say officers ‘acted swiftly’ to locate and arrest the suspect and support the victim.
Full list of arrests
Throughout the day, there have been seven arrests during the PSC event:
- A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and criminal damage
- At approximately 13.30hrs, a 68-year-old man was arrested in Langland Place, W1 on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence
- A 69-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault outside Piccadilly Tube station
- A 61-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault on Shaftsbury Avenue, W1
- A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer on Horseguards Avenue, SW1
- Two men were arrested on suspicion of affray
Do you want to stay up to date with the latest news, views, features and opinion from across the city?
MyLondon’s brilliant newsletter The 12 is absolutely jam packed with all the latest to keep you keep you entertained, informed and uplifted.
You’ll get 12 stories straight to your inbox at around 12pm. It’s the perfect lunchtime read.
And what’s more – it’s FREE!
The MyLondon team tells London stories for Londoners. Our journalists cover all the news you need – from City Hall to your local streets, so you’ll never miss a moment.
Don’t skip a beat and sign up to The 12 newsletter here.
In relation to the counter protest in Piccadilly Circus:
- A 74-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a provocation of violence on Great Windmill Street, W1
Ten people were also arrested in relation to the football league play-off final policing operation:
- A 26-year-old man was arrested for violent disorder at a pub on Marylebone Road
- A 16-year-old man was arrested for ABH and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs at Wembley Stadium
- A 37-year-old man was arrested for affray on Olympic Way
- A 34-year-old woman was arrested for domestic assault and drunk and disorderly on Fulton Road, HA9
- A 46-year-old man was arrested for fraud and deception at Wembley Stadium
- A 58-year-old man was arrested for threatening or abusive behaviour on Olympic Way
- An 18-year-old man was arrested for drunk and disorderly at Wembley Stadium
- An 18-year-old man was arrested for possession of Class A drugs at Wembley Stadium
- A man was arrested for threatening or abusive behaviour at Wembley Stadium
- A man was arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence at on Olympic Way
Don’t miss out on the biggest stories from across the city. Sign up to MyLondon’s The 12 HERE for the 12 biggest stories each day.
