4 arrested as Ukip march sparks counter-protests in London

People take part in a march in Knightsbridge (Sam Hall/PA) Sam Hall

Four counter-protesters were arrested during a demonstration by the United Kingdom Independence Party (Ukip) in central London on Saturday. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests occurred when protesters appeared along the designated march route in violation of police conditions.

The Ukip supporters had originally planned to gather in Tower Hamlets but were banned by police due to concerns about potential serious disorder in the area with its large Muslim population. Officers cited a realistic prospect of trouble as the reason for relocating the demonstration.

March relocated to Kensington

Around 75 Ukip demonstrators assembled instead outside the London Oratory, a Catholic church in Kensington, west London. The protesters carried wooden crosses and England flags before beginning their march towards Marble Arch.

The demonstration formed part of what organisers promoted as a mass deportations tour taking place across the UK. Participants displayed banners reading "Islamist invaders not welcome in Britain" and chanted calls to send people back, with organisers having called for supporters to reclaim Whitechapel from Islamists.

Police presence and restrictions

A substantial police operation was deployed at the meeting point, with police vans and motorbikes positioned nearby. Counter-protesters organised by Stand Up To Racism were restricted from gathering in areas of central London including the location of the Ukip protest.

"Four counter-protesters who appeared along the route in breach of the conditions in place and refused to leave have been arrested," the Met said in a statement posted on social media platform X. No arrests were made during the Ukip demonstration itself.

Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).