The Metropolitan Police have imposed strict conditions to move a weekly protest away from Swiss Cottage, citing serious disruption to the community and heightened tensions.

The protest, organised by the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN) but attended by a mix of groups, has been held almost weekly at the junction of Finchley Road and Eton Avenue since October 2023.

After briefly relocating to New Scotland Yard earlier this year, the protesters returned to Swiss Cottage last week — prompting police to intervene once again.

Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, overseeing policing in Camden and Islington, said:

The protests have caused particular concern, taking place in a community with a significant Jewish population, at a sensitive time before the Sabbath, and amid a rise in antisemitic hate crime.

Stewart pointed to instances of hate speech, intimidating behaviour, and confrontations between protesters and counter-protesters as key reasons for action.

Under the Public Order Act, officers have now banned protests from taking place within a shaded zone covering Swiss Cottage, citing “serious disruption.” Organisers have been informed and encouraged to choose an alternative location for future demonstrations.

Police officers will patrol Swiss Cottage on Friday evening to monitor compliance and enforce the conditions if necessary.

The Met said they remain committed to balancing the right to protest with the rights of the local community.