The Metropolitan Police have announced that they will deploy live facial recognition technology at this weekend's Unite the Kingdom and March for Palestine demonstrations in London, as part of what they describe as one of the busiest days for policing in the capital in recent years.
Unprecedented Policing Operation
Senior officers confirmed that tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the Unite the Kingdom rally in central London and the Nakba: 78 March for Palestine from South Kensington to central London. The FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday adds an additional challenge. Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman stated that a zero-tolerance operation of unprecedented scale will involve 4,000 officers at a cost of £4.5 million, with swift and decisive action against disorder and hate speech.
Live Facial Recognition Deployment
Live facial recognition will be used in an area of Camden where Unite the Kingdom attendees are expected to gather, comparing faces of passersby with those on a specific watchlist. Harman clarified that the technology is not expected to be used on pro-Palestine marchers. He emphasized that for the first time, conditions have been imposed on speakers at these protests, making organizers responsible for ensuring that invited speakers do not break the law by using the events to platform unlawful extremism or hate speech. Both speakers and organizers will face consequences if such speech occurs.
Enhanced Powers and Resources
Harman noted that armed police are available, and the operation includes dispersal powers, enhanced powers to search and remove face coverings, helicopters, drones, dog units, police horses, armoured vehicles, and dedicated investigative teams. He said the day follows a sustained campaign of arson targeting Jewish Londoners and increased concern in Muslim communities. While many attend Palestine protests with good intentions, arrests have been made for stirring up racial hatred and supporting terrorist organizations, and many Jewish Londoners feel intimidated.
Concerns Over Unite the Kingdom
Regarding Unite the Kingdom, Harman mentioned that while many attendees are peaceful, there have been anti-Muslim chanting and arrests for religiously and racially aggravated offences. At the September 2023 protest, violence occurred in multiple locations, with protesters attacking police officers and trying to reach opposing groups. More than 50 outstanding and unidentified suspects remain from that day. The protests have left Muslim and ethnic minority communities feeling scared, avoiding central London and transport hubs.
FA Cup Final and Football Hooliganism
Harman highlighted the additional challenge of the FA Cup final, with officers mindful of football hooligan groups supporting causes fronted by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, the organizer of Unite the Kingdom. He stated that the scale of the operation is unprecedented in recent years, with planning ongoing for months. Routes have been designed to avoid increasing intimidation to any community or risking the two protests coming together.
Harman concluded that the public expects officers to act against antisemitism, anti-Muslim abuse, incitement of violence, or language supporting terrorists. Specialist investigators will work through the night if necessary. On the question of banning the events, he said the legal threshold for a ban is very tightly prescribed and has not been met on this occasion.
