An investigation has been launched after reports of a sexual assault near a pro-Palestine march in central London.
Met Police detectives are asking for any information for the incident which allegedly took place in Coventry Street, outside a money exchange shop.
It is alleged to have taken place at around 2.50pm on May 18. One man has been arrested and released on bail following questioning.
This was close to a gathering of thousands of pro-Palestine protesters in central London.
Coventry Street, central London (file pic)
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A spokesperson from the Met Police said: "Detectives investigating a report of sexual assault during a central London protest on Saturday, May 18 would like to speak with anyone with information or footage that could assist their enquiries.
"At around 2.40pm in Coventry Street a woman is reported to have been sexually assaulted outside a money exchange shop. The suspect is thought to have been wearing a light blue shirt with a navy zip jacket. He was bald, clean shaven and wore thick rimmed black glasses.
"A 69-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. He has since been released on bail pending further enquiries. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or post on X @MetCC quoting 01/358371/24.
"To remain 100 per cent anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org."
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Protesters pass a counter pro-Israeli demonstration in Piccadilly CircusGettyOn the day of the alleged attack, protesters moved from Mortimer Street down Regent Street via Piccadilly Circus to Whitehall, where speeches took place.
It comes as the Government’s adviser on political violence has said he is concerned about the Metropolitan Police’s "limited" ability to manage regular pro-Palestine marches in London.
At a press conference and Q&A, Lord Walney said: "Noble causes such as the battle against climate change have been hijacked by extremist groups, determined to bypass democratic norms and cause maximum destruction to society.
"Meanwhile, hostile states are actively seeking to sow division in our communities by stoking hatred on our streets."
The political violence and disruption adviser said that while compiling the review, he "found a serious blind spot in the state's understanding of the extreme left".
Palestinians walk amid houses destroyed in an Israeli strike, in Khan Younis
Reuters
More than 36,224 Palestinians have been killed and 81,777 have been injured in Israeli military offensive on Gaza since the October 7 attack, the Gaza health ministry said in a statement earlier today. The ministry added 53 Palestinians were killed and 357 injured in the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, humanitarian aid for Gaza is continuing to depart Cyprus by sea and will be held in floating storage off the coast of the enclave until a US-built military pier undergoes repairs.
The US military announced earlier in the week that a purpose-built jetty it anchored off Gaza's coast to receive aid by sea was being temporarily removed after a part of the structure broke off, two weeks after it started operating.
Cyprus Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said offloading aid had slowed down, but the sea corridor had not ceased operating.
