British police arrest nine people after protests in London

London’s Metropolitan Police said four people were arrested outside a pub in Westminster on suspicion of assaulting four police officers.

“Fortunately, no one suffered serious injuries,” police said.

Earlier, police arrested two men after an attack on a participant at an anti-fascist protest held in opposition to Robinson’s rally.

The pair were arrested on suspicion of assaulting the “Stand Up To Racism” protester in Victoria Embankment Gardens in the city centre.

Officers gave first aid to the victim after he suffered a head injury in the incident, and he was taken to hospital for examination, according to the Met, as London’s police force is known.

Meanwhile, another man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and racially aggravated public order offence after allegedly breaking a Palestinian flag and making a racially abusive comment, police added.

Officers arrested another man on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and racially aggravated public order offences after a police officer was kicked, the Metropolitan Police said.

The ninth arrest is related to a suspected assault on a flight attendant at a Trans Pride protest, also held in the center of the British capital on Saturday.

The Met said around 1,000 officers were on duty as part of the “significant” policing operation to deal with the day’s events.

Thousands gathered from late morning for the demonstration organised by Robinson, a far-right activist and founder of the now-defunct Islamophobic organisation the English Defence League.

A counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism and others also took place nearby, with the Met imposing so-called conditions on both marches “with the aim of avoiding serious disruption”.

These included requiring participants to remain in certain areas and streets and to disperse at set times.

In its latest update, the Met said videos had been shared online throughout the day showing chants from some attendees at Robinson’s rally that were “racist and anti-Muslim”.

“It is not always possible for officers to intervene in the moment, especially in large crowds,” police added.

“However, this does not prevent investigations from being carried out after the events have ended to identify suspects and any crimes. These videos are being investigated.”