Seven people have been charged following the major policing operation in central London on Saturday. Investigations continue into a number of other incidents.
Officers made 145 arrests during the Pro-Palestinian demonstration and counter protest by right wing groups for offences including assault, possession of weapons, criminal damage, public order, inciting racial hatred and possession of drugs.
The charges so far follow investigations led by detectives from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and the Public Order Crime Team.
The following seven people have been charged:
John Harvey, 75 (03.04.48) of Pamela Street, Hackney was charged with criminal damage. He was remanded to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 13 November.
Ethan Stapely, 23 (02.09.00) of Bradwell, Norfolk was charged with resisting arrest. He was remanded to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 13 November.
Sam Fairclough, 33 (20.04.90) of Buckley, Flintshire was charged with possession of an offensive weapon. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 1 December.
Taylor Warne, 21 (27.01.02) of Hastingleigh, Kent was charged with possession of class A drugs. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 30 November.
James Buckley, 42 (17.09.81) of Manchester, Greater Manchester was charged with possession of an offensive weapon. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 30 November.
William Duncan, 48 (12.08.75) of Armadale, West Lothian was charged with being drunk and disorderly. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 30 November.
Karl Jordan, 47 (09.04.76) of Burlington Lane, Hounslow was charged with assault on an emergency worker. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 30 November.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who led Saturday’s policing operation said: “Public order policing doesn’t end when demonstrators go home. We have teams of officers who continue to build cases against those in custody and launch investigations into those who come to our attention when images and videos are shared on social media.
“Since the end of yesterday’s demonstration we’ve published appeals in relation to six incidents and I have no doubt there will be more to follow. Our colleagues at the British Transport Police have published a further two appeals.
“We urge anyone who has information about the identity of suspects, or who has footage or photos of further potential offences, to get in touch so we can take the appropriate action.”
Officers made 91 arrests during yesterday’s operation to prevent a breach of the peace, including a significant number of counter protestors arrested in Tachbrook Street, Pimlico as they tried to confront the main pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
This is a power officers have available to them where there is an imminent threat of harm. Once the imminent threat has passed, it is normal for those arrested to be released. Only where it continues will a person be put before the courts.
In line with this approach, with the protest now concluded, those arrested to prevent a breach of the peace only have been released.
Those who were arrested for other matters in addition to a breach of the peace are being dealt with for those offences.
