Dozens of officers injured as as much as 150,000 be a part of Tommy Robinson rally

[ad_1] Twenty-six officers have been injured whereas policing a protest organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which noticed as much as 150,000 folks march by central London.

Tensions flared on the Unite the Kingdom rally, with some protesters throwing bottles and different projectiles at police, the Metropolitan Police mentioned – leaving 4 critically damage.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk spoke to protesters on Whitehall by way of videolink, whereas 5,000 folks joined a close-by counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism.

The Met mentioned 25 folks had been arrested for a spread of offences in what it described as "wholly unacceptable" violence.

An enormous policing operation was put in place in central London with the Met deploying 1,000 officers and drafting in an additional 500 from different forces together with Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Devon and Cornwall.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist mentioned officers had "policed with out concern or favour", understanding it could be difficult.

"There isn't any doubt that many got here to train their lawful proper to protest, however there have been many who got here intent on violence," he mentioned.

<img alt="Flares are thrown as protesters taking part in a 'Unite the Kingdom' rally are held back by police officers, in central London" loading="lazy" width="960" height="540" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="rounded-lg" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6laWplakB78Slm5eioA_Qw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/1926378d3954fcd37970da0b5fcd9f5e"/> [EPA/Shutterstock]

Assistant Commissioner Twist mentioned officers had suffered damaged enamel, concussion, a prolapsed disc, a head damage and a doable damaged nostril.

"The 25 arrests we now have made up to now is simply the beginning," he added because the Met vowed to determine these concerned in dysfunction.

Residence Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned "those that have attacked and injured law enforcement officials".

"Anybody collaborating in legal exercise will face the total pressure of the regulation," she added.

Round mid-afternoon, the 2 demonstrations had been divided on Whitehall by traces of law enforcement officials.

Whereas the rally started largely peacefully, the Met mentioned some officers had been attacked whereas making an attempt to maintain the 2 teams aside.

The Unite the Kingdom protest had "exceeded the estimates of organisers", the pressure mentioned, which meant there was not sufficient area for all of them in Whitehall and Parliament Sq..

Giant crowds ignored police instructions and tried to get into safe areas and spots occupied by these taking part within the Stand Up To Racism protest.

"When officers intervened to dam their path they had been assaulted with kicks and punches," the Met mentioned, including that riot police, horses and canine had been used to maintain the opposing teams aside.

Individuals scaled fencing and scaffolding round Whitehall which put "themselves and others at risk", the Met added.

<img alt="Police officers clash with supporters of British anti-immigration activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson" loading="lazy" width="960" height="540" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="rounded-lg" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_8NwhN1nm2a70oc4xByibg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/ee5a67cb9d0a3bf02264f1afe0370d53"/> The Met Police estimated round 110,000 had been in Whitehall for the Tommy Robinson occasion and 5,000 for the counter-protest [PA Media]

At one level, a glass bottle appeared to smash towards a horse, inflicting the animal and rider to stagger backwards.

Scuffles broke out as police used batons to attempt to push again Robinson supporters gathered on the highest of Whitehall and Trafalgar Sq..

Robinson, whose actual identify is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowds on the "freedom of speech pageant" the place he criticised politicians for "parroting" his concepts.

He additionally claimed UK courts had determined the rights of undocumented migrants outdated these of the "area people".

Final month, the Courtroom of Attraction overturned an injunction blocking asylum seekers being housed at The Bell Lodge in Epping, Essex.

<img alt="An aerial shot showing large crowds of protestors near to Waterloo Bridge and the Imax cinema in central London." loading="lazy" width="718" height="404" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="rounded-lg" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wX8ydfVfY8cmXhZXS9WLMQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/806c874bd8c477b8174b6b673b9cd55b"/> Earlier, enormous crowds massed close to Waterloo Station with folks sporting and waving union flags and the St George cross [BBC]

Making a shock look by way of videolink, Musk spoke about "large uncontrolled migration" and known as for a "change of presidency" within the UK.

"One thing's received to be performed," Musk mentioned, as he was interviewed by Robinson.

"There's received to be a dissolution of Parliament and a brand new vote held."

TV presenter Katie Hopkins additionally spoke on stage after earlier showing alongside Robinson, Laurence Fox and Ant Middleton on the entrance of the march close to Waterloo station.

<img alt="A crowd of hundreds gathers on the junction of two London streets with tall City high rises visible in the background. There are tens of Union Jack and St George's flags. In front of the crowd stands a row of police officers in high vis jackets." loading="lazy" width="960" height="540" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="rounded-lg" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/tStZ1ZshhuKW1_W3NM7lWA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/603b43c64d8d8bc237ad6a13da4b33a9"/> [EPA]

Close by, on the Stand Up To Racism rally, impartial MP Diane Abbott informed demonstrators: "We all know racism and violence and fascism isn't new.

"However you already know what? We've got at all times defeated that racism and violence."

Robinson introduced his stage occasions to a detailed simply after 18:30 and promised one other such occasion.

The 42-year-old was launched from jail earlier this yr after being jailed in October for ignoring an order to not repeat false claims a few Syrian refugee, who had efficiently sued him for libel.