London protests LIVE: Police brace for Unite the Kingdom and Nakba 78 rallies as violent thugs and hate speech face 'full force of law'

'Unprecedented' police operation expected in London today Around 4,000 officers are expected to be on duty in London on Saturday, as the Met polices not only the two marches but the FA Cup final taking place at Wembley.Around 660 officers are being drafted in from forces outside the Met. 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. Live facial recognition will also be used for the first time by Scotland Yard during a public order operation, though not on march routes. It will be deployed at a location in Camden borough to target criminals and suspected offenders on a “watch list” if they take part in the Unite the Kingdom march which is expected to be led by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Protesters clashed with members of the police at the Unite The Kingdom march held in September last year GettyWhat marches are taking place, and when and where are they? The two major protests will both be taking place in central London.The annual pro-Palestine "Nakba Day" march will travel from Exhibition Road, south Kensington, to a rally at Waterloo Place, while a separate Unite the Kingdom march, organised by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, will travel from Kingsway, Holborn, to a rally at Parliament Square. Unite the Kingdom protesters are expected to gather from 11am while the Nakba 78 march is due to begin at midday.Welcome to our coverage of the London protests Good morning and welcomes to our coverage of two huge marches that are taking place in central London today.Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on the capital on Saturday for the two major demonstrations amid a huge £4.5 million police 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.Stay with us for full coverage through the day.Nakba Day and Unite the Kingdom marches in 2025 Getty/PA