Conditions imposed on UKIP Whitechapel protest to prevent disorder

The Met has imposed Public Order Act conditions on a protest organised by the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) that was due to take place in Whitechapel next Saturday, 31 January.

The conditions prevent anyone taking part in the UKIP protest gathering in the London borough of Tower Hamlets. They have been imposed to prevent serious disorder and serious disruption. Breaching the conditions, or encouraging others to do so, is an arrestable offence.

It is the second time that UKIP has proposed an assembly in Whitechapel in recent months. Conditions were also imposed on the previous effort in October, resulting in the protest being moved to central London.

A counter protest in Whitechapel, organised by a group known as the ‘Central London Anti-Fascists’, was announced in opposition to the UKIP protest. It is yet to be confirmed if that protest will still go ahead given the imposition of conditions preventing UKIP gathering in their proposed location. If it was to take place, participants would be subject to conditions that have been imposed requiring them to remain on the pavement along Whitechapel Road and Whitechapel High Street in order to prevent serious disruption to the community, including the nearby hospital.

Please click on the link below for full details, including maps and quotes by Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman, who is responsible for public order policing across London.

Conditions imposed on UKIP Whitechapel protest to prevent disorder | Metropolitan Police