Tommy Robinson march latest: Met Police warns of major disruption as thousands of protesters descend on London
Thousands of police officers are preparing for an “unprecedented” security operation to prevent clashes between Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom march and the pro-Palestinian “Nakba Day” rally in London.
Police estimate around 80,000 people will take part in the marches, with thousands of football fans also descending on the capital for the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, making it one of the busiest days of policing in recent years.
Around 4,000 officers are expected to be on duty on Saturday, 660 of whom will be recruited from forces outside the Met. Armored vehicles, police horses, dogs, unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters will also be present.
Downing Street said law-abiding protesters would be protected but anyone trying to “break the law and create chaos” should expect to “feel the full force of the law”.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the operation took place amid “ongoing global instability and tension”, rising antisemitism, concerns within the Jewish and Muslim communities and a serious terrorist threat.
Federation president Paula Dodds said many officers had had their leave canceled and rest days withdrawn to meet policing requirements, adding: “We just don’t have enough numbers.”
Government blocked 11 foreign nationals from entering the UK ahead of rally
The government has blocked 11 foreign nationals whom Sir Keir Starmer described as “far-right agitators” from entering the UK ahead of a UK rally.
Right-wing figures who claim to have been banned include Polish politician Dominik Tarczynski, Belgian politician Filip Dewinter, anti-Islam commentator Valentina Gomez and Dutch activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek.
Meryem Zakir-Hussein16 May 2026 09:42
Rally organizers face prosecution if speakers use events to spread extremism or hate speech
For the first time, under official protest restrictions, organizers of rallies and speakers who break the law by using the events as a platform for extremism or hate speech will also face prosecution.
Live facial recognition will be used for the first time in a protest policing operation, with cameras set up in an area of Camden that is not on the route of the Unite the Kingdom march, but is expected to be used by large numbers of people attending the event.
Meryem Zakir-Hussein16 May 2026 09:41
Armored vehicles, police horses and helicopters deployed in £4.5m operation
Armored vehicles, police horses, dogs, drones and helicopters will be deployed alongside thousands of police officers as the Met aims to prevent clashes between Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom march and the pro-Palestinian Nakba Day rally.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the police operation would cost the force £4.5 million, with £1.7 million going to be used to bring in officers from other forces to boost numbers.
He said the operation took place amid “ongoing global instability and tension”, rising antisemitism, concerns within the Jewish and Muslim communities and a serious terrorist threat.
Meryem Zakir-Hussein16 May 2026 09:40
Officers prepare for ‘unprecedented’ security operation today
Police estimate around 80,000 people will take part in the marches, with thousands of football fans also descending on the capital for the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, making it one of the busiest days of policing in recent years.
Meryem Zakir-Hussein16 May 2026 09:37
