Met Gears Up for Chaotic Bank Holiday Weekend
London is bracing itself for a hectic Bank Holiday weekend packed with protests, football matches, music festivals, and the space where Notting Hill Carnival usually lights up the city. The Met is calling in reinforcements from neighbouring police forces to handle the surge in demand.
Extinction Rebellion Set to Cause More Chaos
Extinction Rebellion activists are holding ongoing direct actions, promising more disruption. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist warned their tactics have been pushing the limits. “Activists have frustrated officers with complex lock-on devices and vandalism using paint on London landmarks,” he said. “While we respect the right to protest, causing serious disruption isn’t acceptable.”
So far, police have made a significant number of arrests and expect to make more as the weekend unfolds.
Massive Police Operation Underway
DAC Twist revealed the scale of the operation rarely seen in London: “Thousands of officers will be on duty, flexing to meet any challenge. Alongside protests, we’re policing football games, music festivals, and the Notting Hill Carnival footprint.”
The Met is also working closely with City of London Police and British Transport Police, keeping officers visible and targeting violent crime hotspots to protect communities.
Londoners Warned: Expect Police Everywhere
“Londoners can expect to see their police officers highly visible and working hard to keep people safe,” said DAC Twist. “The disruption by Extinction Rebellion, especially as the city recovers from the pandemic, is frustrating for communities whose local officers get pulled into central London.”
With mutual aid requested from neighbouring forces for Saturday only, the capital’s police are braced for a busy, challenging Bank Holiday weekend.
