Senior officer admits force’s responsibility for failure to prevent ‘disruption’ and ‘intimidation’ at demonstration outside Erev earlier this month
January 22, 2026 17:33
The Metropolitan Police have apologised for the "distress", "fear" and "disruption" caused when anti-Zionist protesters targeted an Israeli restaurant in London earlier this month.
Erev in Notting Hill was the scene of a 50-strong demonstration by protesters on January 9, where chants of "genocide" and "intifada" were reportedly heard.
Protesters were stationed just outside the restaurant until being moved onto the other side of the road.
Video footage showed one demonstrator addressing the crowd, speaking of "standing with the resistance," before adding: "We believe in the right to resist by any and all means necessary, for the full liberation and from the river to the sea!"
An arrest was made for the alleged use of the word "intifada" after the Met confirmed it would use new police powers to detain those who make the call under public order legislation.
Now, after receiving complaints about the police response, James Harman, the deputy assistant commissioner at Met Operations, said: "The Metropolitan Police Service has received numerous emails expressing concern regarding a protest which took place outside a restaurant in Elgin Crescent, Notting Hill on January 9.
"As the deputy assistant commissioner for Met Operations, which includes overall responsibility for the policing of protest, I am writing to acknowledge those concerns and to apologise for what took place that evening.
"As we stated publicly, officers were present as part of a policing plan to ensure people could exercise their right to protest while ensuring that those in the wider community could go about their lives without serious disruption. The protesters were required to remain in an area not immediately outside the restaurant, and officers were present to enforce this.
"However, it is now clear that the arrangements and the resources that we put in place in Elgin Crescent that evening did not in fact prevent disruption and intimidation of members of the community – and indeed a man was arrested during the protest on suspicion of chants that constituted acts intended to stir up religious hatred."
Harman went on to say: "I apologise for any distress, fear or disruption caused in the local community that evening – which is clearly what we work hard to avoid but did not achieve on this occasion...
"I understand that the events on January 9 have caused deep concern for many and would reassure you that we have reviewed our approach to ensure we meet the objective of protecting the local community - and any future occurrences of protest at that location will be policed accordingly."
Erev has since bounced back and has seen an increase in business, as members of the Jewish and non-Jewish community have been dining there in an act of "defiance".
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