80-car convoy intercepted outside Imperial
Police helicopter deployed to stop helicopter heading for Israeli embassy
An 80-strong car convey was intercepted by the Metropolitan Police outside the College Main Entrance on Saturday 18th November at around 11pm.
Roads policing units, public order teams and a police helicopter were deployed.
“There were a lot of loud bangs, cars with Palestinian flags and loud music,” said one onlooker, a first-year Imperial student describing the scene before police arrived.
A dispersal order was put in place and all 80 cars were given notices ordering them to disperse and cease their participation in the convoy, or face being seized.
The convoy appears to have stopped outside the College, and the Met says the group had plans to travel to the Israeli Embassy, near Kensington High Street.
It is believed the cars set off from a car park in Hancock Road, Tower Hamlets, East London
On its way into London, the convoy stopped twice on major roads – the A13 and the Limehouse Link Tunnel – ‘causing not only disruption but danger to other road users’.
“On some previous occasions, convoys of cars have passed through Jewish communities with occupants waving flags and shouting anti-Semitic abuse,” said T/Commander Karen Findlay, in charge of the police operation.
“Our intervention on Saturday night was effective in stopping this convoy in its tracks, but now we need to identify those we suspect of being involved in offences earlier on their route.”
Officers are appealing for assistance in identifying 15 people who took participated in the convoy.
Anyone who can assist with identifying those in the images shared should call 101, providing the reference 4237915/23 and the unique number in the bottom corner of the images being released.
Information can also be given to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Imperial’s Friends of Palestine society has confirmed it had no part in Saturday’s events.
