Protests over plans for a China “super embassy” have cost police almost £350,000 over just two days, with the force saying that “increased demand comes with inherent cost”.
Two large protests took place at the proposed site of the new Chinese embassy at the Royal Mint, near the Tower of London, on February 8 and March 15 this year.
An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people attended the events, with police stating that a protest of this scale anywhere in London would have a “significant impact” on Met resources.
Metropolitan Police figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, reveal that 101 officers were deployed on February 8 at a cost of £58,317, covering overtime and vehicle expenses.
A significantly larger operation took place on March 15, with 485 officers deployed at a cost of £284,236. In total, the two protests cost the force £342,553.
If plans for the Chinese embassy are approved and around 10 protests continue take place each year, policing costs could reach approximately £3 million annually — or £15 million over five years.
“This move will seriously increase future public spending,” campaigners from Nottingham Stands With Hong Kong said.
They added: “Against the backdrop of pressure on the UK's public finances and local governments cutting community spending and welfare budgets, it is hard to convince people of the necessity of mobilising such a large-scale police force and spending in the face of a peaceful citizen demonstration, all for the political manoeuvre of establishing a mega Chinese embassy.”
A spokesperson for Met Police told The Standard: "The Met isn't responsible for organising protests. We have a responsibility to work with organisers to ensure an adequate policing plan is in place.
"We highlighted the potential impact of large protests on roads surrounding the proposed site in our submission to the local authority's planning inquiry and the demand this could place on policing.
“Such increased demand comes with inherent cost."
China is seeking to build a new embassy spanning 20,000 square metres at Royal Mint Court, an 18th-century Grade II-listed site.
Tower Hamlets Council rejected the original proposal in December 2022, but China resubmitted it last summer, shortly after Labour came to power.
Demonstrations earlier this year were attended by local residents, Uighurs, Tibetans, Hongkongers, Chinese dissidents and cross-party MPs, who expressed concerns about human rights, potential espionage, traffic impacts and security risks.
In December Met Police objected to the application due to the potential impact of protests on local roads.
Since then, a report was made available on pedestrian numbers that triggered a further specialist assessment by the Met’s Public Order Command.
Met Police considered this assessment and removed its objection but has continued to raise concerns to the Planning Inspectorate about the potential impact on nearby roads.
It has also encouraged the inspector to carry out further enquiries with partners, including Transport for London.
The embassy development comes as the UK Government seeks to forge closer trade links with Beijing, amid concerns over Chinese interference in the UK.
It has led to calls for the country to be placed in the enhanced tier of the forthcoming Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, a status reserved for countries that pose a risk to the safety of the UK’s interests.
