Home Secretary James Cleverly has expressed continued support for Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley despite his defense of an officer who threatened an antisemitism campaigner with arrest during a pro-Palestine demonstration. Cleverly emphasized the need to rebuild trust within the Jewish community and ensure that individuals can live their lives freely in London without intimidation or fear.
Seven loose cavalry horses were spotted running through central London, with one appearing to be injured. Witnesses reported seeing the animals careering down roads near Aldwych, while videos and pictures of the incident were shared on social media. A soldier was reported injured and was seen lying in the street outside the Clermont Hotel. A police spokesman confirmed that they were working with the Army to locate the horses.
A nine-year-old girl was reportedly abducted from outside Harrods department store in London on Monday. Police found her three hours later in the company of a 56-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of kidnap. The girl and her family are being supported by specialist officers, and police believe the incident was isolated. Harrods released a statement expressing gratitude for the swift actions of the Metropolitan Police in resolving the situation.
The recent incident involving Gideon Falter, the chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, highlights a disturbing trend in London: the policing of protests at the expense of individual freedoms and safety. On April 13, Falter, who was wearing a kippah, was told by a Metropolitan Police officer that his “openly Jewish” presence at a pro-Palestine march was “antagonising” and could lead to arrest. This incident is not isolated; there has been a worrying increase in antisemitic incidents at pro-Palestine marches. The Metropolitan Police has been criticized for its handling of these incidents, and the government is considering banning pro-Palestine marches.
The highly anticipated FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Manchester City has its kick-off time set for 3 pm on May 25th. This decision was made after consultations involving the Football Association, Metropolitan Police, Brent Council, and rights holders BBC and ITV. The Met Police expressed concerns about crowd safety, leading to the shift from the traditional late start time. The FA’s preference for early evening kick-offs to maximize television viewership had to be adjusted. This early start, while welcomed by fans traveling to London, poses a scheduling challenge for ITV, which also holds the rights to broadcast the European Champions Cup final scheduled to begin at 2:45 pm on the same day. The rugby authorities have voiced their disappointment as their showcase event may be overshadowed. Despite the scheduling conflict, organizers of the Champions Cup are unwilling to alter their kick-off time due to concerns in France. The Met has not raised any concerns about hosting both major sporting events in London on the same day.
The parents of Nuria Sajjad, a girl killed in a school crash last year, have called for faster police investigations into child fatalities. The case has been delayed due to a lack of forensic officers, which the families say is unacceptable given the nature of the incident. They want cases involving child victims to be prioritized and greater resources given to these investigations.
A senior Metropolitan Police officer has admitted that a dispersal order allegedly breached by Tommy Robinson may not have been lawful due to an error in the date on the paperwork. Robinson, 40, denies failing to comply with a direction to leave an area in Westminster on November 26 last year. Inspector Steve Parker-Phipps, responsible for policing the protest, imposed the order under the Crime and Policing Act 2014 when he thought a “right-wing group” could potentially be attending.
A senior police officer has admitted that a dispersal order signed for an incident involving Tommy Robinson may not have been lawful due to an incorrect date. Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley Lennon, pleaded not guilty to failing to comply with the order to leave the area in Westminster on November 26, 2021. During the trial, Inspector Steve Parker-Phipps acknowledged that he accidentally dated the order for November 24, despite imposing it on November 26.
