Met chief praises Londoners' show of unity

Anti-racism protesters take to the streets in their thousands to face down threat of far-Right violence

- Anthony France and Nicholas Cecil

SCOTLAND Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley today praised the “show of force” and “unity” from police and Londoners that faced down the feared threat from far-Right thugs.

Thousands of peaceful anti-racism demonstrators took to the streets last night following a week of disorder which started in Merseyside on July 30.

Despite threats of more than 100 planned anti-immigration protests across the country, including several in London, widespread violence failed to materialise.

Aerial photos showed more than 8,000 people gathered to protect a migrant support centre in Walthamstow, where a rally was due to take place. The crowd chanted: “Whose streets? Our streets” and “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here”.

In Finchley, Harrow and Hounslow, businesses and shops were boarded up or closed early near buildings housing immigration services.

The Metropolitan Police mobilised more than 1,300 public order officers across London to deter trouble.

Commissioner Sir Mark, who joined colleagues this morning on one of 10 dawn raids targeting suspected rioters, said fears of “extreme-Right” thuggery were “abated” by a successful policing operation and “show of unity from communities”.