Thousands of police officers are preparing for an “unprecedented” security operation to avoid clashes between Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom march and the pro-Palestine “Nakba Day” rally in London.
Police estimate about 80,000 people will attend the marches, plus thousands of football fans will descend on the capital for the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, making it one of the busiest policing days in years.
Around 4,000 officers are expected to be on duty on Saturday, with 660 being drafted in from forces outside the Met. Armoured vehicles, police horses, dogs, drones and helicopters will also be on hand.
While law-abiding protesters will be protected, anyone attempting to “break the law and create chaos” should expect to “feel the full force of the law”, Downing Street has said.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the operation was taking place against a backdrop of “continued global instability and tension”, increased antisemitism, concerns within Jewish and Muslim communities, and a severe terrorism threat level.
Paula Dodds, the federation’s chairwoman, said many officers have had leave cancelled and rest days withdrawn to meet policing requirements, adding: “There are not enough of us.”
Government blocks 11 foreign nationals from entering UK ahead of rally
The government has blocked 11 foreign nationals described by Sir Keir Starmer as “far-right agitators” from entering the UK ahead of the Unite the Kingdom rally.
Right-wing figures claiming to have been barred include Polish politician Dominik Tarczynski, Belgian politician Filip Dewinter, anti-Islam commentator Valentina Gomez and Dutch activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain16 May 2026 09:42
Rally organisers face prosecution if speakers use events to propagate extremism or hate speech
For the first time under official protest restrictions, organisers of the rallies will face prosecution as well as any speakers who break the law by using the events as a platform for extremism or hate speech.
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 a lot of people attending the event.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain16 May 2026 09:41
Armoured vehicles, police horses and helicopters deployed in £4.5 million operation
Armoured vehicles, police horses, dogs, drones and helicopters will be deployed along with thousands of officers as the Met aims to avoid clashes between Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom march and the pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the policing operation will cost the force £4.5 million, with £1.7 million being used on bringing in officers from other forces to boost numbers.
He said the operation was taking place against a backdrop of “continued global instability and tension”, increased antisemitism, concerns within Jewish and Muslim communities, and a severe terrorism threat level.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain16 May 2026 09:40
Officers preparing for ‘unprecedented’ security operation today
Police estimate about 80,000 people will attend the marches, plus thousands of football fans will descend on the capital for the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, making it one of the busiest policing days in years.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain16 May 2026 09:37
