UK’s largest anti-immigration protest in years turns violent

London (UK): At least 25 people were taken into custody on Saturday after violent clashes broke out during one of the United Kingdom’s largest right-wing demonstrations in recent years, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist confirmed that 26 police officers were injured in the unrest, four of them seriously. Reported injuries included broken teeth, a suspected broken nose, concussion, a prolapsed disc, and a head wound.

“While many people attended to exercise their lawful right to protest, a significant number arrived intent on violence,” Twist said, adding that those arrested represented “just the start” and that further prosecutions are expected as investigations continue.

The clashes unfolded during the “Unite the Kingdom” rally, spearheaded by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Organisers claimed between 110,000 and 150,000 participants gathered in central London, though Robinson himself insisted in social media posts that more than three million people were present. He described the rally as a “force of patriotism never seen before” and a foundation for a “cultural revolution.”

Prominent figures also addressed the crowd, including French far-right leader Éric Zemmour, German AfD politician Petr Bystron, and US billionaire Elon Musk via video link. Demonstrators waved Union Jacks, St George’s Crosses, and even American and Israeli flags, with some wearing “Make America Great Again” hats. Placards and chants carried anti-immigrant and anti-government messages, including “Send them home” and criticisms of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Counter-demonstrations organised by “Stand Up to Racism” drew around 5,000 people nearby. Protesters carried signs reading “Refugees Welcome” and “Smash the Far Right,” and were joined by MPs Diane Abbott and Zarah Sultana. Abbott criticised the rally for promoting “nonsense” and scapegoating asylum seekers for the country’s problems. The group later reported that some of its members had been assaulted by far-right supporters.

The event comes amid rising support for Reform UK, a populist party polling strongly in recent surveys, though its leaders have distanced themselves from Robinson. The scale of Saturday’s rally underscores the growing prominence of anti-immigration sentiment in Britain.