Met to send 4,000 officers to police rival protests

The Metropolitan Police is preparing a major deployment for two rival protests in central London this weekend, drafting in more than 4,000 officers (including 660 from other forces) under a £4.5m plan to reduce the risk of clashes. Measures include authorising live facial recognition cameras at a demonstration for the first time, putting armoured vehicles on standby, drone surveillance and widespread use of riot gear and stop-and-search powers. Tens of thousands are expected at the two events alongside large crowds for the FA Cup Final, raising disruption risks to central London transport, consumer footfall and businesses. While not a market story, elevated security, potential transport disruption and reputational or political fallout could weigh on near-term UK economic activity and sentiment — a modest near-term risk for the UK 100 index.