Metropolitan Police warning

October 17, 2012

TUC “A Future That Works” march and rally

Saturday 20 October 2012

Information for Businesses

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has announced that they are holding a march and rally entitled ‘A Future That Works’ on Saturday 20 October 2012 in response to the government’s continued programme of cuts and austerity measures. This event seeks to build on the support demonstrated at the previous TUC march and rally in March 2011.

Participants will assemble from 11 am on Victoria Embankment between Temple Place and Blackfriars and progress to Hyde Park at 12.30 pm along the following route: Embankment; Bridge Street; Whitehall; Trafalgar Square; Cockspur Street; Pall Mall; Waterloo Place; Regent Street; Piccadilly; Park Lane; Hyde Park (entering Hyde Park corner). A planned rally in Hyde Park is due to commence at 3.00 pm and is scheduled to end at 4.30 pm.

Last year’s official march followed a predetermined route as agreed between the event organisers and the police and passed without significant incident. The TUC intend to replicate the route and it is anticipated that numbers will be lower than the previous event.

During last year’s event a small group of individuals not intent on peaceful protest committed acts of criminal damage within areas of the West End. An incursion also took place on business premises in Piccadilly which resulted in a number of arrests.

The Metropolitan Police Service is fully aware of the potential impact of any demonstrations on the local business community and is well equipped to deal with events like this. We have an appropriate and proportionate policing plan in place and are working closely with the TUC and Westminster City council to ensure that the protest moves through London peacefully and that any disruption is kept to a minimum.

You may notice an increase in the number of police officers in your area in the weeks leading up to the demonstration. This is part of the preparation for this event and should not be cause for alarm. Please contact your local safer neighborhoods’ team if you have any immediate concerns.

Whilst a robust policing plan is in place you can help to protect your business by taking a few sensible precautions. The following points are a list of considerations and are by no means exhaustive.

Retail premises should be suitably staffed with a prominent management presence that can make themselves identifiable to police (in the event of an incursion).
Security officers, where possible, should have a visible presence at premises.
In the days leading up to an event ensure all staff are fully briefed.
All staff should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security and /or police.
Consider minimising the number of entry points to your building.
Ensure that building perimeters are clear of debris, dustbins, ladders or loose tools and equipment, which could be used to gain access or used as weapons.
Check that your emergency equipment / grab bags / first aid supplies and radio communication systems are stocked and fully operational.
Check and test building security and emergency systems.
Ensure that all members of staff are fully aware of any emergency/evacuation procedures.
Ensure CCTV coverage is fully operational and can provide the highest recording resolution as possible.
If your building has scaffolding erected or is in close proximity of scaffolding, security staff should be aware of the potential for easy access.
In the event of an emergency, call the emergency number 999.