0h 2min, may 16, 2026 y - 43 Arrests at Rival Protests

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The Metropolitan Police has said 43 arrests were made on Saturday during an enormous £4.5m police operation to keep demonstrators at two rival London protests apart.

More than 4,000 police officers were deployed to the capital to manage a so-called "sterile zone" between a rally organised by far-right figure Tommy Robinson, and a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

Tourists trying to navigate major central London landmarks were left bemused by the operation.

Nelson's Column was surrounded by metal barriers. Police officers from Wales in riot uniforms prevented anyone getting from the National Gallery to Pall Mall and Regent Street. Police vehicles lined The Mall from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace.

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