Thousands of Riot Police on Standby as England and Wales Prepare for Weekend of Protests
Around 3,000 riot officers will be deployed or placed on standby across England and Wales this weekend amid growing concerns that a wave of anti-asylum seeker protests and counter-demonstrations could spark violence and public disorder.
The mobilisation, ordered by national police leadership, marks the largest coordinated deployment of public order officers since the riots in summer last year. Some of these officers will be visibly present on the streets in full riot gear — including helmets and shields — to serve as a deterrent, while others will remain on standby, ready to respond quickly to areas where tensions may escalate, according to a police source involved in the operation.
Though no specific intelligence suggests violence is imminent, police have taken precautionary steps. An additional 800 riot officers were ordered to be ready by Friday, supplementing the 2,200 already planned. Authorities are bracing for at least 20 protests this weekend, many of them targeting hotels that house asylum seekers — each of which may attract counter-protests.
One senior officer from a region expecting unrest said the outcomes are unpredictable:
“It’s impossible to tell what you’re going to get. Within the crowds you may see concerned locals, bystanders, and extremist groups all mixed together.”
Police will be tasked with keeping opposing groups apart and minimizing disruption for local communities. The 3,000 riot officers have been drawn from forces nationwide and are under the coordination of the National Police Operations Centre. While local commanders will determine specific deployments, approaches will vary: some may opt to deploy officers in full protective gear from the outset, while others will begin with officers in standard uniforms, keeping riot units nearby in reserve.
Far-right groups are believed to be the primary drivers of many of the protests, though attendees are expected to include local residents worried about alleged links between asylum seeker accommodation and serious crime.
Police anticipate challenges from both far-right and far-left groups over the weekend. The Metropolitan Police, covering London, has requested support from other forces as it faces three days of intense public order activity.
A far-right protest is expected in Islington on Friday night, though a low turnout is anticipated. A larger protest is expected on Sunday in Canary Wharf. On Saturday, central London will see a pro-Palestine march, alongside demonstrations by those supporting or opposing the government’s ban on Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.
Organisers and police sources agree that hundreds — possibly between 200 and 1,000 people — are likely to take part. Many have been urged to carry placards reading “I support Palestine Action,” which police warn could lead to arrest under terrorism laws.
Some organisers hope to overwhelm the police and criminal justice system through mass non-compliance. Police, however, remain confident they can manage the protests — unless attendance far exceeds expectations.
By 5pm on Friday, small groups of protesters had already started gathering near the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf. Riot officers were quickly deployed to separate groups of masked men who had broken away from the anti-asylum seeker demonstration and attempted to confront anti-racism activists arriving from Heron Quay DLR station.
Around 200 anti-migrant protesters — including individuals waving St George’s flags and an Israeli flag, with some linked to far-right figure Tommy Robinson — gathered opposite the hotel. They directed verbal abuse at a counter-protest by around 100 anti-racism activists, trade unionists, and supporters of the group Stand Up to Racism. Police maintained distance between the groups, with vans of public order officers stationed nearby.
Sunday will also see a London march calling for the release of hostages taken during the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Meanwhile, the football Community Shield match and the kickoff of the lower-league football season are expected to further stretch police public order resources.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, leading the Metropolitan Police operation, issued a stark warning to anyone considering protesting in support of Palestine Action:
“Anyone showing support for Palestine Action can expect to be arrested. These arrests may result in terrorism charges, which have serious long-term consequences — affecting travel, employment, and finances. This is not just about expressing a view; some participants are clearly intending to be arrested en masse to overwhelm the system.”
Tensions High in Nuneaton Ahead of Saturday Protest
In Nuneaton, Warwickshire, anxiety was building on Friday ahead of a large protest expected outside the council building the following day. The town has recently become a focal point for far-right activists after two Afghan men were arrested and charged in connection with the alleged kidnapping and rape of a 12-year-old girl.
Reform UK’s 19-year-old council leader, George Finch, accused police of attempting to conceal the fact that the suspects — Ahmad Mulakhil and Mohammad Kabir — are asylum seekers.
The incident has triggered outrage both online and offline. Far-right figures and local residents have voiced anger that asylum seekers are being housed in the town, with Facebook groups such as “Nuneaton says No!” appearing, founded by Tom Huburn-King, a regional organiser for the far-right Homeland party.
At a local café, a group of retired women expressed support for the protest, saying their motivation was to “protect the children.” One woman, a lifelong resident, refused to give her name:
“You can’t have an opinion anymore — you’ll get locked up,” she said.
“I don’t usually pay attention to politics, but when children start getting raped, there’s a limit.”
Warwickshire Police Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith took the unusual step of addressing Finch directly in an open letter. He confirmed that police had asked the Home Office to verify the suspects’ immigration status and denied any attempts to cover up the incident.
Meanwhile, local care workers Chijioke “CJ” Ani and Musa Samson, both originally from Nigeria, said they were worried about the protest.
“Of course I’m concerned,” said Ani.
“You don’t know what might happen. I’ve seen a lot of anti-immigrant stuff online. It makes me feel like I could be attacked just walking down the road.”
Samson said he had experienced racist behaviour locally, including men making noises at him outside a bar.
“It’s just one of those things,” he said.
Despite fears, most residents interviewed in Nuneaton said they planned to stay away from the town centre on Saturday. While some sympathised with the protesters’ right to express concerns, many did not support their message.
Lawrence McIntyre, who runs a tea and coffee kiosk in the centre of town, worried that business would be hurt.
“If people don’t come into town, I won’t have customers. The market traders and small businesses rely on weekend footfall,” he said.
He added that Nuneaton had long been a diverse town and that recent tensions were an unfortunate shift:
“There’s good and bad everywhere — not just in Nuneaton.”
