Police are not using live facial recognition in its policing of the “Unite the Kingdom” demonstration which is beginning on London’s south bank.

It said: “We’re using a mobile CCTV van to help monitor the build up of crowds. Officers have been asked if it’s using ‘live facial recognition’ – we can confirm it is not.”

The live facial recognition technology – which captures people’s faces in real-time CCTV cameras – was used in the policing operation at the Notting Hill Carnival.

Tommy Robinson has called on attendees of his rally to not wear masks, drink alcohol or be violent.

In a video on X he said: “It’s not a time for riots. It’s not a time for violence. It’s a time where you come and you stand proudly for your country.”

He added: “This is an imperative message and an important message: we have to control ourselves.”

GB News has claimed 50,000 people have mustered, with the march not scheduled to get underway until 1pm.

Footage shared on X shows large crowds already gathering in Stamford Street in central London. Chants of “Tommy Robinson” and “Keir Starmer‘s a w*****” can be heard along with loud car horns.

The actual march is expected to get underway at 1pm.

Former Labour MP Diane Abbott, who now sits as an independent, told The Guardian: “The far right are a menace to the whole of society. Their first targets, asylum seekers and Muslims, are broadening to all migrants, black people and on to trade unionists, all religious minorities and anti-racists.”

Stand Up to Racism’s March Against Fascism will assemble in Russell Square – an hour after the Unite the Kingdom rally is due to gather.

A description of the event on X declared: “Tommy Robinson’s festival of hate will feature a rogue’s gallery of Steve Bannon, Katie Hopkins, Jordan Peterson…”

The Metropolitan Police Federation has raised concerns about the toll of repeated major protest deployments.

Chairwoman Paula Dodds said officers regularly have leave cancelled and work extended shifts.

She said: “Our colleagues have and continue to lose time with their families, friends and loved ones because they have been pulled into London to police protests.”

Ms Dodds added that there are no “extra” officers, only the same workforce facing rising demand.

She warned the current tempo is “not sustainable” and noted officers have been assaulted during previous operations.

Police chiefs said Saturday would be one of the busiest operational days of the year with protests, football, concerts and other events.

Commander Clair Haynes said: “The Met is used to delivering the sort of complex and large-scale policing operation that is required to keep the public safe, and we have a detailed plan to do so on Saturday.”

She added that officers would police “without fear or favour” but would act robustly against hate crime or disorder.

The Met said it had worked closely with organisers, local businesses and community representatives in advance. Protesters were urged to show consideration for the communities they pass through.

Scotland Yard will impose restrictions under the Public Order Act on where and when campaigners can protest.

A “sterile area” will be created between the two demonstrations to minimise the risk of disorder.

Barriers and large numbers of officers will be deployed to keep groups separate and maintain public safety.

Five Premier League fixtures, including two London derbies, will also be policed on the same day.

Tommy Robinson, fresh from prison in May 2025, announced the Unite the Kingdom rally as a “free speech festival” to be held today at 11am, starting at Stamford Street, Southwark, and marching to Whitehall, expecting thousands to join.

The event, sparked by Mr Robinson’s release and his call to “unite patriots” against perceived censorship, gained traction online, with claims of international support and $20,000 raised via cryptocurrency for logistics.

The Metropolitan Police, deploying 1,600 officers, will enforce barriers to separate the groups amid fears of clashes.

Police fear the rally risks escalating tensions in a polarised capital.

Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) will stage a counter-march against the Robinson rally under the banner March Against Fascism.

Demonstrators will assemble at Russell Square from midday before marching through central London to Whitehall.

SUTR said the protest will be led by hundreds of women, including independent MP Diane Abbott.

National organiser Samira Ali said: “Our demonstration will be sending a message loud and clear: we are united against the far right threat.” She added: “Women don’t need the far right to keep us safe.”

The Metropolitan Police has appealed to Muslim Londoners not to change their plans in the capital during Saturday’s Unite the Kingdom rally.

Commander Clair Haynes said there were “particular concerns” given previous anti-Muslim incidents linked to some Robinson supporters.

She said: “That is not our advice. Everyone should be able to feel safe travelling into and around London.”

Officers will be on patrol to provide reassurance and respond to concerns.

Large crowds gathered in Whitehall on Friday night for a vigil in memory of Charlie Kirk, the day before Saturday’s Unite the Kingdom rally in London.

Thousands of people are expected to descend on central London on Saturday for rival demonstrations. Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” march will move from Stamford Street to Whitehall, featuring speeches promised from Jordan Peterson and Katie Hopkins, with the assassination of Charlie Kirk in the US certain to be discussed prominently.

At the same time, Stand Up To Racism’s “March Against Fascism” will set off from Russell Square, led by women including independent MP Diane Abbott. Scotland Yard said barriers and a “sterile area” will keep the groups apart, with 1,000 officers dedicated to the protests and more than 1,600 on duty across the city. Commander Clair Haynes stressed police will act “without fear or favour” and urged Londoners to continue with their normal plans. Officers will also oversee a packed weekend of football matches, concerts and events across the capital.

We’ll be providing regular updates on a day of high-visibility policing for the capital.