Officers made 40 arrests during a pro-Palestine protest in Westminster yesterday evening (Tuesday, May 28), as three officers were injured, one seriously. The Metropolitan Police Service says that officers ‘engaged extensively’ with a group of around 500 people who stayed behind after the gathering was meant to end, breaching the Public Order Act.
Police therefore made ‘a number of arrests’. But, officers say ‘some in the crowd resisted physically’, and one was left with a serious ‘facial injury’ when she was struck by a bottle.
A spokesperson for the Met said in a statement posted online: “A protest, organised by a coalition including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and other groups, took place in Whitehall from 6pm. Conditions were imposed under the Public Order Act requiring the protest to end by 8pm.
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“The vast majority of those in attendance, estimated at between 8,000 and 10,000 people, left without incident at the required time. However a group of around 500 remained in Whitehall and continued to protest putting them in breach of the conditions in place.
“Officers engaged extensively before making a number of arrests for failing to comply with conditions. As they moved in, some in the crowd resisted physically requiring officers to use force to extract those who had been arrested.
“The protesters then set off on a breakaway march, making their way as far as nearby Bridge Street, outside Westminster Tube station, where cordons were put in place to detain them. Further opportunities were given to allow the group to comply with conditions.”
Arrests on suspicion of ‘obstruction of the highway and assaults on emergency workers’
The force added: “They were also informed that their actions were causing an obstruction of the highway. Shortly before 10pm, officers wearing protective equipment began a series of arrests, going into the crowd and extracting those suspected of leading the breakaway protest.
“In total, 40 people were arrested for offences including breach of Public Order Act conditions, obstruction of the highway and assaults on emergency workers. Others were dispersed from the area.
“Their details were taken and they were informed that they remain under investigation in relation to the events of Tuesday evening. Those who refused to provide their details were also arrested.
“Regrettably, three officers were assaulted. Two sustained minor injuries while a third, a PC based on the Central West Command Unit, was left with a serious facial injury when she was struck by a bottle thrown from within the crowd.
“The suspect for that assault has not yet been identified but an investigation is under way.”
The PSC described the protest as an ’emergency demo’. The organisation said on X at 12.30pm yesterday: “Israel has bombed a refugee camp in Rafah, killing at least 50 civilians. They have ignored the ICJ ruling demanding they end their offensive. Join us as we demand our government take action to #StopGazaGenocide‌.”
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