Met Gears Up to Tackle London Protests
The Met is ready for upcoming demos in London, working closely with British Transport Police and City of London Police. Their mission: keep Londoners safe, cut disruption, fight crime, and handle any flashpoints fast.
Mixed Engagement from Protest Groups
Some protest groups are cooperating with police planners to keep events safe. But others, like Million Mask March and Just Stop Oil, refuse to engage. This means the Met has a flexible policing plan ready to jump on any trouble.
Commander Savell Speaks Out
“The Met has loads of experience handling spontaneous protests in London. Our team is trained and ready to respond fast to any public order chaos,” said Commander Jon Savell.
“We back peaceful protests and want to help organisers stage them safely. But unlike many groups, Million Mask March and Just Stop Oil don’t talk to us beforehand, making it harder to limit disruption. Some protesters cross the line into crime – we won’t stand for that.”
Heavy Toll on Police Resources
Since 2 October, the Met has arrested 677 Just Stop Oil protesters, charging 111, with nearly all facing court. More than 9,400 officer shifts have been spent policing these protests – officers taken away from crucial work on knife crime, burglaries, and community safety.
Despite the strain, the Met says it’s strong and capable of managing protests and everyday policing.
Police Warn Public: Leave It to the Pros
“We have to balance protesters’ rights with those of local people and businesses. Our priority is arriving quickly when disruption erupts. We ask the public not to take matters into their own hands but trust the police to sort it out swiftly,” added Savell.
“We’re determined to bring anyone causing serious disruption or damage to justice. That’s what London expects, and we’ll work with courts and the CPS to make sure it happens.”
