Police are braced for a huge march by far-right activist Tommy Robinson and counter-demonstrators in central London on Saturday.
Officers vowed to “deal decisively” with disorder and will be supported by other UK forces to ensure a “significant presence” keeps the two groups apart.
Thousands of supporters of Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, are due to hold a rally in Westminster, which is expected to be met with a rival protest from Stop the War campaigners.
Emotions are running high after Robinson - accused of stoking racial tensions during the summer riots while on holiday abroad - was told to hand himself in to police for an expected arrest at 3pm on Friday.
He posted a video on X, formerly Twitter, to say he was going to attend Folkestone station, but the reasons why he has been told to surrender himself are unclear.
It follows his arrest in July at a port in Kent where he was accused of “frustration” of police counter-terrorism powers.
On Saturday, the protest organised by Robinson is due to march from London Victoria station to the southern end of Whitehall, while the counter-protest organised by Stand up to Racism will begin at Regent Street St James’s and finish at the north end of Whitehall.
The Metropolitan Police said static rallies are expected at the end of both marches.
Relatives of Chris Kaba are attending a separate protest led by the United Friends and Families Campaign taking place in Trafalgar Square from around midday.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams, who is leading the policing operation, said: “We are well prepared for what is set to be a busy day in the centre of London.
“Our role is to ensure that those attending the various events can do so safely and that they can exercise their right to lawful protest.
“We will have significant resources in place to respond to any incidents, to deal decisively with any offences, and to keep disruption to other members of the public and businesses to a minimum.
“We know that when groups with opposing views come together it can lead to conflict and disorder, and a key part of our role is ensuring that does not happen.
“We have used Public Order Act conditions to ensure that those involved stick to routes and assembly areas that are sufficiently far apart. Officers will be monitoring closely to ensure that conditions are adhered to.”
Ms Williams continued: “The impact of frequent significant protest in central London is considerable, not least on the officers deployed to police them.
“Many would be working in other frontline roles if they weren’t required for these events.
“We’re grateful for the assistance of colleagues from other forces whose contribution means we are able to police protests while also keeping local communities across London safe.”
Robinson is currently facing jail after he was accused of contempt of court.
There will be an increased police presence in Westminster tomorrow for a march organised in the name of Tommy Robinson, a counter protest organised by Stand Up To Racism and other events.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) October 25, 2024
Read further details, including conditions in place, below. 🔽 https://t.co/oc051NfTkN
It followed the airing of a film repeating libellous allegations about Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi at a protest in central London.
Mr Hijazi successfully sued Robinson after the then-schoolboy was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018.
After a clip of the incident went viral, Robinson made false claims, including about Mr Hijazi attacking girls in his school, leading to the libel case.
Mr Justice Nicklin ordered Robinson to pay Mr Hijazi £100,000 in damages and his legal costs, as well as making the injunction preventing Robinson from repeating the allegations.
