Police appeal to trace 11 men seen at London pro-Palestine marches
Published: 20:30, 14 November 2023
Updated: 20:32, 14 November 2023
Police are seeking the public’s help to identify 11 men suspected of displaying signs or wearing clothing in support of terrorist groups at pro-Palestine marches in London.
The Metropolitan Police said all those they seek to trace were seen at demonstrations held since Hamas militants entered Israel on October 7.
Detectives investigating an allegation of incitement of racial hatred relating to antisemitic chanting on Armistice Day are looking to speak to two men seen in social media footage.
The first is said to be between 20 and 30 years old with light skin and a beard, and was wearing a black baseball cap with a white front panel.
The second is said to be the same age with light skin, short dark hair and a beard and goatee. He was wearing a black puffer coat.
Officers also want to speak to two men captured in social media footage over allegations they engaged in pro-Hamas chanting in Trafalgar Square on November 4.
Inviting support for the banned organisation is an offence under the Terrorism Act.
The first is described as an Asian man who looks aged 40-50 and has a grey beard. He was wearing a dark hoodie with a distinctive white square on the left breast.
The second is described as looking age 20-30, wearing a black hoodie, grey tracksuit bottoms and a green neck covering.
Officers also want to speak to six men captured on social media at a demonstration on King Charles Street at around 4.15pm on October 14.
The investigation relates to allegations of inciting racial hatred and displaying an article in public that arouses reasonable suspicion of membership or support for a proscribed organisation.
Police describe the first man as around 25-35 years old, light skinned and of light-skinned appearance with very short dark hair and a beard. He was seen wearing a green headband with writing on it.
The second man is said to be around 25 years old, white skinned or light skinned with light brown or dark blond, curly, short hair. Police also believe he has a light jawline beard.
The third man is described as looking to be in his late 20s with a light brown and a very closely shaven beard. He was wearing a dark baseball cap and black puffer coat.
The fourth man is described as looking 20-30 years old with short dark hair and a ginger or brown beard. He was wearing a cream zip-up fleece.
The fifth man is described as looking aged 20-30 with closely shaven dark hair and a dark beard. He was wearing a Palestinian flag around his neck
The sixth man appears to be in his 20s with short, dark, wavy hair. He was wearing a black puffer coat with a white circular logo on the left breast.
Officers have been continuing their inquiries to identify a man seen waving a placard with the words “I fully support Hamas” on it during a protest on Bond Street on October 21 and police continue to urge anyone with information about him to contact them.
He has short hair, light skin and is wearing a blue jacket with a light top underneath, a light stripy scarf around his neck, and light trousers or jeans.
Police say they are analysing hours of CCTV and images from the demonstrations as the “large and tightly-packed” crowds are said to make it difficult for officers to identify and arrest people immediately.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Having pursued various lines of inquiry to try and identify these men, we are now seeking the public’s help.
“Many of the images we are sharing are very clear so I feel confident that there will be members of public who recognise the men.
“I really urge anyone who has information about these men – no matter how small – to call our confidential hotline.
“And if any of these men recognise themselves, I encourage them to go to a police station, so we can speak with them.”
Anyone who knows who these people are or has information that could help the investigation is asked to report it in confidence online at gov.uk/ACT or by calling 0800 789 321.
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