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Written question asked by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative) on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 March 2026. It was answered by Lord Hanson of Flint (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 March 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Demonstrations

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government how many arrests or public order incidents have been recorded at Al-Quds Day demonstrations in London over the past ten years.

Answer

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, wrote to the Home Secretary on 9 March requesting her consent to an order under section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 to prohibit processions and counter-processions in relation to Al Quds Day.

The Home Secretary approved the order, to prevent serious public disorder. The Government’s foremost duty is the protection of its citizens, and this includes ensuring the safety of participants at the protest and counter-protests, as well as the wider public.

It is the responsibility of police to manage protests and maintain a balance between the right to protest and the need to protect the public from serious disruption or harm. Forces regularly engage with communities to understand the impact of protests.

There are no official Government figures on the number of arrests or public order incidents recorded at Al Quds Day demonstrations in London, however the Metropolitan Police publicised that in 2024 there were 10 arrests, and in 2025 there was one arrest.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL15388
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Demonstrations Arrests Greater London Palestine Iran Ramadan
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk