Two arrests made at ‘Uniting the Kingdom’ demonstration as thousands march

The Met Police made two arrests at the Uniting the Kingdom protest held on Saturday afternoon in Central London.

The force said on X: “Two arrests have been made at the Uniting the Kingdom demonstration. One for a breach of the Public Order Act conditions in place and a breach of the peace, and one for a racially aggravated public order offence.”

A total of five arrests were made during the day of protests, which included a counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism.

One woman who was part of the counter-demonstration was de-arrested after previously being detained for common assault, the Met Police said. The force said: “She agreed to provide her details, having initially refused to do so, meaning there was no longer a necessity for her arrest. An investigation will now follow.”

Another arrest was made after an officer was assaulted when a group from the Stand Up To Racism demonstration tried to push through a cordon at the end of The Mall. The fifth arrest was made following a racist remark being directed at an officer. The force said the protest affiliation of this suspect hasn’t been confirmed.

The scenes unfolded as supporters of Tommy Robinson and counter-protestors from Stand Up to Racism gathered in the capital.

Chants in support of Robinson had been heard, while many were also showing support for Peter Lynch, the rioter who died in prison this week.

Officers from across the country were brought in to help the Metropolitan Police, and riot vans were seen lining Central London’s streets.

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