Vigilance can confirm that Detectives from Operation Brontide have today, Monday 4 April released CCTV footage and CCTV stills of people they want to identify following the serious disorder and violence committed in the West End on Saturday 26 March. This disorder followed the peaceful TUC March in central London.
According to the Detectives during the disorder it is believed groups dressed all in black covered their faces in order to avoid identification and ultimately evade justice for their criminal actions. The footage released today shows one group changing from their black clothing into more colourful clothing which enabled them to disappear into the crowds in the area.
Officers would like to identify those changing clothes in the footage in order to speak to them about their actions during the day of the march.
Vigilance learnt that the vast majority of people that came to London to protest did so peacefully and worked with the event organisers and engaged with the stewards and police officers placed there for their own safety.
Detective Chief Superintendent Matthew Horne, leading the investigation, said: "We are working tirelessly to identify those responsible for the appalling acts of criminal behaviour on the day of the TUC March. The video footage and related photographs released today clearly show the lengths that individuals will go to in order to hide their identities; they are sought in connection with conspiring with others to cause criminal damage.”
DCS Horne added: "The vast majority of people who came to London to protest did so peacefully and worked with the event organisers and police officers. Others however, abused their right to protest and worked together to cause violence, damage and disorder"
Operation Brontide would like anyone who knows these people to contact the team on 020 8246 9386 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Operation Brontide is the dedicated team formed within the Specialist Crime Directorate (SCD) to manage the investigations into those arrested and those still outstanding.
The team is collating and reviewing hours of CCTV and police gathered footage.
Vigilance learnt there were 201 arrests on Saturday 26 March (145 in connection with the Fortnum & Mason incident). 56 officers were injured during the day, with 11 requiring hospital treatment.