- Woman allegedly attacked outside a money exchange shop near gathering
Police are appealing for witnesses to an alleged sexual assault reported to have happened during a pro-Palestine march in central London.
Scotland Yard has launched an investigation after a woman was said to have been attacked outside a money exchange shop in Coventry Street, Westminster.
It is alleged to have taken place at around 2.50pm on May 18 close to a huge gathering of thousands of pro-Palestine protesters in central London.
A 69-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault but has since been bailed pending further enquiries.
Following the man’s release on bail, detectives have launched an appeal for witnesses to the alleged attack.
Pro-Palestine protesters in Piccadilly Circus on May 18. A woman was sexually assaulted on nearby Coventry Street
Police have arrested a man in connection with the incident but are appealing for witnesses (pictured: a pro-Israel counter protest the same day)
There was a heavy police presence at the protest, which was attended by thousands (pictured: police in Piccadilly Circus)
Scotland Yard says the attack is alleged to have happened outside a shop on Coventry Street (file picture)
Police describe the suspect as bald and clean-shaven, wearing thick rimmed black glasses.
He is believed to have been dressed in a light blue shirt with a navy zip jacket.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or post on X @MetCC quoting 01/358371/24.
The alleged assault came as thousands of pro-Palestine activists rallied in central London for the latest in a series of marches calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict that has decimated the Gaza Strip over the last seven months.
It took place on the 76th anniversary of what Palestinians call the ‘Nakba’ – the mass displacement of people following the creation of Israel in 1948.
Protesters moved from Mortimer Street down Regent Street via Piccadilly Circus to Whitehall, where speeches took place.
A counter protest by pro-Israel group Enough is Enough took place at the same time, separated from the Palestine protest at Piccadilly Circus by a police barrier and physical fencing.
Police said they made a total of seven arrests relating to the protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, including one in connection with the alleged sexual assault.
They included a man being arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after he allegedly climbed onto a traffic light and yelled ‘intifada revolution’.
‘Intifada’ is an Arabic word referring to a rebellion, uprising or revolutionary movement.
A man was also arrested for carrying a coffin bearing offensive language, while another was arrested after fleeing police during a search. Others were arrested for holding offensive placards, rowing with protesters and affray.
A further arrest was made in relation to the counter protest in Piccadilly Circus, where a 74-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a provocation of violence on Great Windmill Street.
Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove said of the policing efforts: ‘Officers made swift interventions to make arrests where criminal offences were suspected.’
