Two-tier policing? Met to use facial recognition at Robinson rally but not pro-Palestine march
The Metropolitan Police will deploy live facial recognition technology at this weekend’s Unite the Kingdom rally organised by Tommy Robinson — but not at a neighbouring pro-Palestinian demonstration taking place on the same day.
Scotland Yard confirmed it will impose what senior officers described as the “highest degree of control” and the “most assertive use of our policing powers” ahead of the demonstrations, which are expected to draw tens of thousands of people into central London.
Up to 50,000 people are projected to attend the Unite the Kingdom march, while a separate pro-Palestinian rally marking Nakba Day is expected to attract around 30,000 demonstrators.
The force said around 4,000 officers would be deployed across the capital for the operation, with armoured vehicles on standby for the first time and officers equipped with full riot gear amid fears of disorder.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman confirmed that live facial recognition technology would be used in the London borough of Camden “in an area likely to be used by those attending the Unite the Kingdom event”.
However, the technology will not be deployed along protest routes, assembly areas or rally points, he added.
Live Facial Recognition uses biometric mapping to compare faces captured on camera against databases of wanted suspects or persons of interest, alerting officers if a match is detected.
The Met said the decision followed intelligence assessments suggesting there was “likely to be a threat to public safety from some who might be in attendance”.
Mr Harman said police had worked to ensure routes and rally locations did not “increase the risk of intimidation to any particular community” or bring opposing groups into direct confrontation.
“This operation involves the most assertive use of our policing powers, including strict conditions under the Public Order Act,” he said.
Police dog units, mounted officers, helicopters, detectives and traffic teams will all be involved in what the Met described as an “unprecedented” security operation costing an estimated £4.5 million.
Critics immediately accused the force of applying different standards to rival demonstrations.
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, said: “The Unite the Kingdom rally on Saturday should be treated no differently to the pro-Palestinian march on the same day.
“The fact that two-tier justice is being applied against patriotic Britons is disgraceful.”
Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, said facial recognition was “a powerful tool for catching wanted criminals” and should be used “in all relevant settings”.
He added: “In previous years, Nakba Day protests have included expressions of support for banned terrorist organisations such as Hamas, which is a criminal offence.”
Meanwhile, the Government has moved to prevent a number of foreign activists and commentators from attending the Robinson rally, with at least seven individuals reportedly blocked from travelling to Britain by the Home Office.
Police have also warned organisers and speakers at both events that they will face consequences if “unlawful extremism or hate speech” is platformed during the demonstrations.
