Protest and Arrests at Metropolitan Police Headquarters
Eighteen individuals were arrested on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action following a demonstration outside New Scotland Yard, the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, on Saturday.
The protest occurred shortly after the Metropolitan Police announced it would resume arrests of anyone displaying support for the proscribed organisation.
The Met confirmed that arrests were taking place outside its central London base via a post on X, which included an image showing officers detaining people on the steps of the building.
Police later stated that those arrested remained in custody.
Legal Context and Police Position
In February, the High Court ruled against the government’s decision to ban the Palestine Action group under anti-terrorism legislation.
Following this ruling, the Metropolitan Police indicated it was unlikely to proceed with arrests related to the group, although officers cautioned that supporting the organisation remained a criminal offence and that evidence of potential offences would continue to be gathered.
However, on 26 March, the Met revised its stance, announcing that arrests would likely resume for those showing support for Palestine Action. The force explained that the government’s appeal against the High Court decision was expected to take several months.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said: "We must enforce the law as it is at the time, not as it might be at a future date. We must do that consistently and without fear or favour."
Arrest Statistics and Legal Proceedings
Since the group was banned last year under the Terrorism Act 2000 by then-home secretary Yvette Cooper, more than 2,700 people have been arrested for allegedly expressing support for Palestine Action.
Individuals convicted of supporting a proscribed organisation face a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
The trials of hundreds of those arrested since the High Court ruling remain on hold as the legal dispute over the group’s proscription continues.
