Police are asking the public to help identify 11 people they want to speak to after violence broke out during Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” march in London over the weekend.
The rally, held on Saturday, September 13, drew a huge crowd — police estimated between 110,000 and 150,000 people filled the streets of the capital. But the event quickly descended into clashes. Officers reported being kicked, punched, and pelted with bottles and flares. In total, 26 police officers were assaulted and 24 people were arrested on the day.
Detectives have since released images of 11 others they believe were involved in public disorder and attacks on emergency workers. Investigators are combing through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage to track them down.
A day of violence
Police confirmed the youngest person arrested was just 19 years old, while the oldest was 58. Three women were among those detained. So far, eight people have been charged, one was cautioned, and 11 have been bailed pending further investigation.
The rally, led by Robinson — real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon — was billed as a patriotic protest. But authorities and campaigners have widely condemned it as a far-right gathering. Robinson told supporters that the event marked the start of a “cultural revolution,” while guest speakers included former actor Laurence Fox and billionaire Elon Musk, who addressed the crowd by video link.
Musk caused outrage after telling attendees that “violence is coming” to Britain and accusing “the left” of celebrating the murder of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk in the US last week. His remarks were swiftly condemned by Downing Street, which called them “dangerous and inflammatory.”
Political reaction
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the rally as “plastic patriotism” and said the scenes left many communities feeling more unsafe. “It was more than just bad behaviour,” he told Channel 4 News. “It sent a shiver through so many of our communities who now feel more scared than they did before.”
Stand Up to Racism, an anti-fascist group, staged a counter-protest in Whitehall with around 5,000 demonstrators, chanting slogans against Robinson and his supporters.
As police continue their search for the 11 wanted individuals, they are urging anyone with information to come forward. Photo by Cheeseburger296, Wikimedia commons.